Brad Friedel sets out global recruitment plans at Shrewsbury Town

Brad Friedel says Shrewsbury Town have begun work on a broader international recruitment operation as the club's new owners establish their football structure. In an interview reported by BBC Sport, the new sporting director outlined plans to combine a customised data platform with a wider scouting reach, while working closely with head coach Gavin Cowan.

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Friedel said the recruitment department was already operating and that he had started identifying potential signings. The club intends to bring in additional people to support that process and explore markets it has not previously reached. Although he described himself as strongly guided by data, he said numbers alone would never be sufficient grounds for signing a player.

The former Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham goalkeeper also committed to a regular presence at the club. Friedel said he was moving to the area and intended to attend training every day, rather than make occasional visits. He described his relationship with Cowan as a collaboration, with defined responsibilities but shared input across the football operation.

Shrewsbury are in their second season in League Two after a 10-season spell in League One ended in 2025. They finished 10 points above the relegation places last season, having appointed former player Cowan in January to help avoid a drop into the National League. Friedel said the immediate priorities were stability, structure and giving the first-team staff, players and academy the resources to succeed.

Explaining the ownership group's choice of club, Friedel said it had considered opportunities in Turkey, Poland, Portugal and the Netherlands before focusing on Britain. Shrewsbury's position as a one-town club was a particular attraction. He said the group wanted to strengthen the connection between the team and its community, as well as improve the football operation.

Promotion is an ambition rather than a promised outcome. Friedel said the aim was to become contenders this season or next, with any further progress approached in stages. Shrewsbury last played in the second tier in 1989, but he emphasised building the foundations first rather than setting a fixed timetable for a return.