THE SON of a former Premier League star and TV host is forging his own career in football.
Leo Castledine, 19, completed a loan transfer to Shrewsbury from Chelsea earlier this week.
The attacking midfielder, who has already made his debut for the Blues after appearing in their Carabao Cup clash against Middlesbrough in January, is going on his first loan spell to continue his development.
Having joined Chelsea’s academy from Wimbledon as an Under-15 star, he is described as “a player who has the ability to play box-to-box, he likes to create and score goals and is very tenacious in the tackle”.
And he is now hoping to make waves in League One with the Shrews.
Speaking to club media, Castledine – who has represented England Under-15, Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 level – said: “I’m really excited to get going.
“Obviously it’s my first loan in the men’s game but I’m ready to get going and just want to play.
“(Shrewsbury) is a great club with a lot of history and I’m eager to get going and I can see a set up here where it’s going to work out and I’m going to get a lot of games and be able to help the team.”
Manager Paul Hurst said of the deal: “We are really pleased because he’s one we’ve been looking at for a long time and initially we weren’t sure he’d be allowed to come out on loan.
“There was also word that he may end up in the Championship, so we’re delighted to get him in and had to be patient on this one.
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“He’s a player we think can add a lot to this squad. He’s a mature character who plays with maturity, enthusiasm, and has quality.”
Castledine comes from Premier League stock, with his father Stewart Castledine starring for Wimbledon for nine years in the top flight.
Castledine senior, 51, had a ten-year career in professional football despite never being a regular player with the Dons.
Following his playing career, Castledine Snr went straight into TV presenting.
He hosted BBC One’s Big Strong Boys and Houses Behaving Badly over the course of seven years.
Castledine also tried his hand at modelling for the likes of DKNY and Topman and in acting in the 2006 film Pink Panther.
He has since had various directorial roles in sport, including eight years at Sports Revolution Ltd, and currently works at KIN Partners and a Football Commercial Director.
Castledine is also married to TV presenter Lucy Alexander, with the pair having two children together, Leo and EastEnders actress Kitty.
