Ex-Spurs & Blackburn Rovers star close to EFL club takeover | OneFootball

Brad Friedel has taken a big step towards being involved with Shrewsbury Town

Former USMNT international and Tottenham Hotspur star, Brad Friedel, has taken another step forward in his aim of becoming a board member of League Two side, Shrewsbury Town.

It has been confirmed that the 55-year-old has passed the owner's and director's test, having seen links over his potential involvement in Shropshire come to light in recent weeks.

Gavin Cowan's side have endured a mixed start to what is their second successive campaign at League Two level after being relegated in 2024/25, as they currently sit 18th after seven matches played.

Shrewsbury have been owned by local entrepreneur, Roland Wycherley, since the year of 1996, but the 85-year-old has made his intentions over a sale at Croud Meadow particularly clear in recent times, and it is no doubt that the latest developments concerning Friedel, who was once a star between the sticks in the Premier League, will please the locals.

Exciting Shrewsbury Town update emerges involving ex-Spurs and Blackburn Rovers ace Brad Friedel

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Talks of this particular takeover initially surfaced in June, when it was detailed that an American consortium had begun the process to take control of the club from the aforementioned Wycherley.

Such news came after Shrewsbury saw previous takeover talk in 2025 come to nothing, but this particular time, talks have progressed significantly.

After it was revealed that the new consortium in question came from the United States, news then broke that Friedel had partnered with businessman, Scott Davidson, to lead this takeover proposal heading into the Autumn.

If the takeover is to be successful, it is understood that Friedel would take up a position on the League Two side's board of directors, and now he has passed the latest step towards doing exactly that.

A club statement reads: "Shrewsbury Town can confirm Brad Friedel has successfully passed the owners’ and directors’ tests conducted by the relevant governing bodies.

"The latest approval represents another step forward in the proposed takeover process."

Shrewsbury Town fans react to latest step in Brad Friedel-involved takeover

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The Ohio-born man is, of course, a well-known figure in modern football, having amassed exactly 450 appearances for the likes of Spurs, Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool and Aston Villa in the top-flight, as well as earning 82 caps for the USMNT.

The value of this particular takeover is yet to be disclosed, but having seen their club on the decline for several years, the latest step in takeover talks has got many Shrewsbury fans talking.

"One more step closer, it seems," said one supporter.

"Quite literally no excuses now," stated another Salop fan.

response to such developments.

"Up the Brad Friedel's American Shrews," read another message.

Not all were getting too carried away, though, with 'Salopcast' posting: "One step closer to a takeover. Or one step closer to the chairman ruining it for everyone. #SellTheClub."

Shrewsbury Town will hope takeover talks are finalised ASAP

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Just eight years ago, Salop were on the verge of a potential promotion to the Championship under Paul Hurst, but after losing to Rotherham United at Wembley Stadium, the locals have had very little to cheer about.

Attendance figures at Croud Meadow have been on the slide as a result, with an average figure of just 4,923 coming from their first three home matches of the current campaign.

Naturally, a takeover would bring much more of a positive feel to the club, especially with such a high-profile figure like Friedel involved, and supporters will be itching for talks to be finalised as soon as possible.