Shrewsbury Town have completed the signing of striker Chuks Aneke, bringing in the experienced forward after his departure from Charlton Athletic earlier this summer.
The 32-year-old links up again with Michael Appleton, having previously played under the Shrewsbury manager during Appleton’s time in charge at The Valley. Aneke joins as a free agent and becomes the latest addition to Town’s attacking options as they look to strengthen following a slow start to their League Two campaign.
Experienced Campaigner
Aneke came through the academy at Arsenal, making his first-team debut in the League Cup in 2011. While he never featured in the Premier League, he gained valuable experience on loan with Stevenage, Preston North End and Crewe Alexandra, scoring 20 goals in 70 league appearances during his time at Gresty Road.
After two seasons in Belgium with Zulte Waregem, the forward returned to English football in 2016 with Milton Keynes Dons, where he enjoyed the most productive spell of his career. Across three seasons at Stadium MK he scored 30 league goals in 84 appearances, form that earned him a move to Charlton Athletic.
Aneke’s time with the Addicks came in two separate spells either side of a brief stint in the Championship with Birmingham City. In total he made 123 league appearances for Charlton, scoring 24 goals, before leaving the club in the summer of 2025.
Last Season at Charlton Athletic
Aneke featured 26 times in League One during the 2024/25 campaign, scoring five goals. Though he did not register an assist, he remained a useful option in attack and maintained an average match rating of 6.30 across the season.
What He Brings to Shrewsbury Town
In all competitions over his career, Aneke has amassed 399 senior appearances and 93 goals, offering Shrewsbury a player with proven pedigree at this level. At 6’3, his physical presence and experience in the division are expected to complement Appleton’s squad, while his familiarity with the manager could help smooth his transition into the team.
For Shrewsbury, the signing provides a timely boost in their search for greater firepower. For Aneke, it is a chance to reignite his career and make an impact once again in League Two.
