SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division joint-top goalscorer Max Mata looks has left Sligo Rovers to join English League 1 side Shrewsbury Town for an undisclosed fee.
Mata has scored 12 goals in 24 matches in his second season with the Bit O' Red, replacing the void left by last year's leading marksman Aidan Keena who departed for Cheltenham Town in January.
During his time with Sligo he has been recalled to the New Zealand international side, starting against China and appearing as a substitute against Sweden.
The 23-year-old scored against Motherwell in Sligo's Europa Conference League second round win last season.
It represents the third time the Bit O' Red have lost a leading marksman after Keena and Johnny Kenny (Celtic) in the last 18 months.
Shrewsbury boss Matt Taylor said: "Max was a player we've spoken about for the past three weeks and I went over to Ireland to watch him. We'd like to thank the chairman for facilitating that and Max's transfer over from Ireland.
"I was very impressed with what I saw. He has exceptional footballing intelligence, scores a variation of goals, is hungry to fulfill his potential and we fought off a host of other clubs to get him.
"I'm excited for the fans to see him in a Shrewsbury Town shirt. He is of course very talented but more importantly, he's the right type of person to fit within the group."
Mata said: "I'm very happy to be here.
"The fact they came and showed a lot of interest, and they made me feel comfortable through the process made me really excited and I've looking forward to coming to the club.
"Sligo is a place I will never forget with people who I will always hold dear to my heart, especially at Sligo Rovers. I know I will always have the Bit O' Red with me in my life."
It has been a difficult first full season in management for John Russell with Rovers failing to threaten the European places, currently sitting in seventh place.
They are just seven points clear of the relegation play-off position ahead of Friday night's clash with St Patrick's Athletic which is live on RTÉ2.
25 mins: Derry City 0-1 Sligo Rovers - The visitors lead against the run of play, Max Mata heading home at the back post at the end of a wonderful move
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) March 17, 2023
📺 Watch live on @rte2 and @rteplayer: https://t.co/1CdVcPa1jr
📱Live updates: https://t.co/R3MjueQ1eE pic.twitter.com/OPKOJ1OdgP
Russell brought in Portuguese front man Pedro Martelo last month knowing there was a strong possibility of losing Mata, while RB Leipzig winger Fabrice Hartmann has had his 12-month loan spell extended by another year after impressing before injury hit.
He could return on Friday.
Mata, meanwhile, could come up against former team-mate Keena if international clearance goes through in time when Shrewsbury take on Cheltenham on the opening day of the Football League.
Keena has taken his form in the Premier Division to England with six goals in 14 starts as well as several assists for the League 1 outfit.
Watch Sligo Rovers v St Patrick's Athletic in the League of Ireland on Friday night from 7.35pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
