Accrington Stanley have today completed the signing of defender Lewis Shipley from Norwich City on a season-long loan.
Born in Cambridge; Shipley joined City as a seven-year-old and progressed through various age groups at Carrow Road, with the 19-year-old recently signing a contract extension to remain at the club until 2025.
He made a total of 33 Premier League 2 appearances for The Canaries across 2021/22 and 2022/23 as Alan Neilson's side finished fifth and sixth respectively, with Shipley missing just two games during last season.
John Coleman said: "Lewis came up this week, he is highly thought of at Norwich, he ticks the boxes for what we need. We need a left-footed defender and he has impressed in training. Hopefully he will go on and do well for the first team.
"It will help he already knows Brad (Hills). Lewis is a sensible lad and has a good head on his shoulders and a good personality. I hope for everyone's sake it works out."
Lewis added: "I have played all my academy life with Brad and it will make both of our first loans easier having each other here but we are here to do a job.
"It's a new environment, new place, new people but I feel like I have been ready for this for a while and I am looking forward to the challenge.
"Accrington is a great club, I want to do my best and get as many League Two games under my belt as I can. We have all come in, feel like we are ready to play at this level and we will prove John Coleman right for putting his faith in us.
"I have watched a fair few League Two games and, compared to Under-23s games, it is very different. The quicker the game is, the more it suits me so I think this physicality in League Two will be better for me than 23s football."
A full interview video with Lewis will be uploaded to the club's official YouTube channel later today, CLICK HERE to find out more!
The move is subject to EFL and FA ratification.