By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

24th Jul, 2023 | 3:31pm

Sources: Sunderland star Joe Anderson agrees Shrewsbury Town move

Sunderland defender Joe Anderson has agreed a move to League One Shrewsbury Town, sources have told Football Insider.

Anderson, 22, is set to join Shrewsbury on a season-long loan as Sunderland want him to be playing regular first-team football next season.

Sunderland signed Anderson in the January transfer window from Everton and he made four appearances off the bench for the Black Cats last term.

A number of EFL clubs have shown an interest in the centre-back, but Shrewsbury have moved quickly to agree a deal with Sunderland for Anderson.

Anderson’s contract runs until 2026 and includes the option of a further 12 months.

The defender is still highly rated at the Stadium of Light and the club are hopeful that a season in League One could help toughen him up physically and add a new dimension to his game.

Although Sunderland still want to hold on to Anderson moving forward, he is unlikely to move up the pecking order next season with the arrivals of centre-backs Nectarios Triantis and Jenson Seelt to their defensive ranks.

Tony Mowbray’s side have a good relationship with Shrewsbury and have done plenty of business with them before, including a loan deal with Carl Winchester last summer.

Anderson began his career in Liverpool’s youth academy before making the switch to Merseyside rivals Everton where he spent six years working through the age groups and then joined Sunderland in January.

In other news, according to Kieran Maguire, Sunderland handed ‘long term’ boost as EFL green light plan.