Reports have linked Shrewsbury Town and England U19 goalkeeper Callum Burton to a host of Championship teams and Rangers.

If Burton were to move to a bigger club, he'd be the latest in a long line of products of Shrewsbury Town's Academy to step up to the big time, although in recent years this number has increased.

However, they have not all been sold for big fees, but rather been released and later gone on to make a career for themselves at a higher level.

In any case, it is undisputed that Shrewsbury's academy is working and manager Micky Mellon will be looking to capitalise on it as he looks to bring up the next generation.

However, for now, let's take a look at the best FIVE players that the Shrewsbury Town academy has produced in recent years.......

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE BEST PRODUCTS!

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Ryan Woods (Brentford)

Woods was in fact a product of Walsall's academy before being released by the Saddlers at the age of 15 in 2009. Shrewsbury Town duly picked up Staffordshire-born Woods and brought him up in their academy until his first-team debut in April 2012 against Oldham Athletic (1-0).

Woods became a regular fixture in Graham Turner's side the season after, even playing at right-back, and developed into the player who made the side tick.

Such was his impact in Shrewsbury Town's League Two promotion campaign of 2014/2015 that Brentford signed Woods in August of this season.

So far, Woods has played most of this season's matches for Brentford and has not been found wanting despite playing in a higher division.

 

Tom Bradshaw (Walsall & Wales)

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Bradshaw went from hero to zero at Greenhous Meadow after turning down a new deal at Shrewsbury (albeit a non-improved one) to sign for local rivals Walsall in the summer of 2014.

Bradshaw arrived at Shrewsbury from Aberystwyth Town in 2009, after impressing in a handful of games for the Welsh side.

Despite his instant impact, two goals on his first-team debut at Crewe, he never really fulfilled the expectations that the Salop faithful had in him during the next four seasons, some of them hampered by injury.

Nevertheless, nobody expected him to go on to scoring the amount of goals he has down the M54, never mind getting capped by Wales. Definitely one that got away.

 

Andre Gray (Burnley)

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Few will know that Gray is a product of the Shrewsbury Town Academy, after arriving from Wolves at the age of 13.

Whilst very talented, Gray had a series of problems off the field which limited him to 4 substitute appearances for the first team.

After relatively unsuccessful loans to Telford United and, to a lesser extent, Hinckley Town in the Conference North, Gray was released by manager Paul Simpson at the age of 19.

Gray moved permanently to Hinckley and, after two excellent seasons in Leicestershire, Conference side Luton Town took a chance on him on loan and Gray performed, which lead to the Hatters forking out £30,000 for his services.

Two seasons, 47 league goals and a promotion later, Brentford signed Gray for £465,000 but he only lasted one season in West London before Burnley paid a club-record fee for him.

So far, Gray has repaid the faith by scoring 23 goals so far this season. Premier League football beckons, while Shrewsbury fans reflect on another fantastic judgement call by Paul Simpson.

Dave Edwards (Wolverhampton Wanderers & Wales)

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Edwards came through Shrewsbury's ranks and made his debut in the final match of the 2002/2003 season, with Shrewsbury's relegation to the Conference already confirmed.

He didn't establish himself in the first team until they were back in the Football League, being an integral part of Gary Peters' side in League Two.

Edwards' departure from Shrewsbury was a controversial one.

He was left out of their 2007 Playoff Final at Wembley against Bristol Rovers by Peters for turning down a new contract, with Peters questioning his commitment. Edwards surprisingly signed for League One Luton Town for £250,000 and a further £150,000 in add-ons, but lasted only six months before joining Wolves in January for £675,000.

After eight and-a-half seasons at Wolves, Edwards has forged a career for himself, played two seasons of Premier League football and won 31 caps for Wales.

Edwards is still a Shrewsbury fan and has been seen down at Greenhous Meadow at some matches.

 

Joe Hart (Manchester City & England)

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Without doubt, Shrewsbury's most famous academy export.

Hart's first contact with league football came at the age of 15, in 2003, when he was an unused substitute in Shrewsbury's 1-1 draw at Exeter City.

He had to wait another year to make his first-team debut, a 1-1 home draw against Gravesend a day after his 17th birthday. After conceding 3 goals in his next league outing a few days later, Hart, capped at U19 level by England, had to wait until the end of the following season to establish himself as Town's number 1, a role which he kept for another full season until his transfer to Manchester City in 2006. City paid a total of £1.5m for Hart's services (£900,000 in add-ons, all of them paid up) and after loans at Tranmere Rovers, Blackpool and Birmingham City, he established himself as City and then England's number one to become one of Europe's best goalkeepers.

Agree with the list, Shrewsbury fans? Is there anyone you think has been left out? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below!