League One side Shrewsbury Town have secured the signing of former Doncaster Rovers, Portsmouth and Lincoln City striker John Marquis on a two-year deal following his departure from Bristol Rovers.
The experienced 32-year-old who boasts a career goal tally of 153, departed the Gas having scored 16 goals in 83 appearances for the side.
His extensive CV includes spells at Torquay, Leyton Orient, Cheltenham Town, Lincoln City, Gillingham, Northampton Town and Millwall, however his spells at Doncaster Rovers and Portsmouth are arguably where he made his name.
The forward took the EFL by storm for Doncaster between 2016 and 2019, scoring 61 league goals over three seasons, including one in the League One Play-Offs. He also picked up the League Two Golden Boot and Player of the Year in the 2016/17 season.
His second spell at Portsmouth didn’t go as well, where he only scored over double figures once in his three seasons at the club, before departing for Lincoln City on a permanent deal in 2022. He only spent six months with the Imps before joining Bristol Rovers on a free transfer.
He now links up with Shrewsbury Town according to the club’s official website.
Can Marquis Return To Form?
Sometimes a player and a club just works. Those three seasons at Doncaster Rovers catapulted Marquis into the category of top EFL strikers, which is largely one of the reasons Pompey made a move. However, for some reason or anything he has failed to capture that same form for any of his other clubs. With only the 2020/21 Portsmouth Covid-19 season coming close with 16 goals.
He is still an experienced forward who can lead the line, but at 32 it is becoming increasingly unlikely that he will once again become a 20 goal+ striker.
Shrewsbury need to add more goals to their side, they were the lowest scorers in League One by four goals, despite finishing four points above the relegation zone. If they are not able to up that number and turn some of those defeats around, they could find themselves slipping back into the fourth tier next season. Promoted sides Wrexham and Stockport will not be taking part in a relegation battle, and it is likely Mansfield have enough to put some distance between them and the drop, leaving very few teams between them and League Two football.