Shrewsbury takeover completed as Brad Friedel takes sporting director role

Shrewsbury Town's takeover by an American consortium has been completed, with former United States goalkeeper Brad Friedel becoming sporting director, according to BBC Radio Shropshire. The deal transfers 87.4% of the League Two club's shares to Biscayne ST LLC and allows owner Roland Wycherley to retire after three decades in charge.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tev-fm5XpT8

The consortium is led by Miami-based businessman Scott Davidson and includes Friedel. With the share purchase paperwork finalised, Davidson joins the board alongside New York financier Will Dotson and Craig Graham, chairman of Edinburgh club Spartans. Friedel, whose playing career included Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, will work with Shrewsbury manager Gavin Cowan in his new role.

Wycherley, 85, took over as chairman from Ray Bailey in the summer of 1996. A lifelong supporter born in Shrewsbury, he first made clear his intention to sell more than five years ago, when the club were still playing in League One. The BBC reported that his insistence on finding an agreement he considered suitable for the club's long-term future contributed to the lengthy process.

His tenure included relegations and promotions, as well as a major change to the club's home. In 2007, Shrewsbury left Gay Meadow for a new stadium with 10,000 seats. Former manager Graham Turner, who led the team to promotion in 2012, told BBC Radio Shropshire that Wycherley had sustained the club through difficult periods and expressed admiration for his work over the years.

Wycherley's final match as owner was Saturday's 2-1 victory at Eastleigh in the first round of the FA Cup. Shrewsbury stand 15th in League Two but are only two points outside the play-off places. Cowan returned to the club in January and kept them from relegation; a win at Crawley on 20 October had taken the side as high as eighth this season.

Friedel has already watched the team at Oteley Road, attending the EFL Trophy victory over Everton Under-21s on 27 October. The BBC reported that he and Davidson are expected at Saturday's home fixture against Oldham Athletic, whose manager Micky Mellon previously guided Shrewsbury to promotion.