Ex-Blackburn Rovers & Aston Villa star set to be part of EFL club takeover | OneFootball

Brad Friedel is set to become a part of the new ownership at Shrewsbury Town

Iconic ex-Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel has emerged as part of the consortium looking to buy Shrewsbury Town from Roland Wycherley.

According to the BBC, the former USA international has partnered with American businessman Scott Davidson to lead a takeover proposal for the League Two side.

Wycherley, the 85-year-old owner of Salop, has been looking to sell since officially putting it on the market in 2024, but has found it difficult to agree to the terms of a deal.

He has been in charge of the fourth tier side for 30 years, but his reign as owner could soon come to an end.

Shrewsbury suffered relegation from League One in 2025, and finished 19th in the table last season, 10 points clear of the bottom two.

But a disappointing start to the current season has seen the team lose four of their opening five fixtures, piling pressure on Wycherley from supporters to seal a takeover agreement.

Brad Friedel’s role in Shrewsbury Town takeover

Action Images

It is understood that Friedel is part of the consortium looking to purchase Shrewsbury, and that he will have a role on the board of directors.

The former goalkeeper played for the likes of Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur during his career.

The 55-year-old retired in 2015 after four years with Spurs, and has worked as a pundit in the years since.

But he is now set to take on a role in football ownership through Shrewsbury and his connection with Davidson.

It’s been claimed that the deal to take over Shrewsbury will be completed in the next few weeks after Davidson was cleared in the EFL and Independent Football Regulator’s checks.

This will not be Davidson's first venture into football ownership, as he has also been heavily involved with Scottish side The Spartans since 2021 - Shrewsbury however is a different kettle of fish and a big step up in terms of financial commitment.

Town themselves have also released a statement to confirm Friedel’s involvement in the deal, as the process looks to come to a conclusion swiftly.

How Shrewsbury Town fans have reacted to takeover talks

Fans are delighted at the prospect of a new owner coming in soon, with patience running out with Wycherley.

Supporters are pleased to see some light at the end of the tunnel after a difficult final few years under the current owner.

Fans have also welcomed the transparency from the club, who have been open regarding the direction of the team in the immediate-term.

All in all, there is a lot of positivity surrounding the prospective new owners.

Time for change is now at Shrewsbury Town after 30-year Roland Wycherley stint

Action Images

Shrewsbury have been going backwards in the last few years, and it’s clear that the time for change is now.

Fans have become fed up with the direction the team is going in, and a change in owner will give them some reason to be optimistic about the future.

Davidson already has experience in football ownership, albeit at a much lower level, and Friedel’s own expertise in the English game will also come in handy as well.