[themaclad]

Walsall have signed Chester defender Harrison Burke for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old has agreed a three-year deal at the beaten League Two play-off finalists.

The central defender scored 13 goals in National League North last season and was named in the league's Team of the Season.

Having made his debut in January 2022, he went on to play 136 times for Chester as he helped them reach last season's play-offs.

"It's more of a dream, it's surreal coming here," Burke told the Walsall website, external.

"As soon as I knew Walsall were interested, it was something that I wanted to get done. I'm just happy to get it over the line now and excited to play in front of the fans."

Head coach Mat Sadler added: "Harrison's had a fantastic season and a fantastic few seasons with Chester.

"He's a highly sought-after young player that we beat off competition from clubs in higher divisions than us.

"That shows the identity of who we are and how we're viewed as a destination for young players that want to come here above going to other clubs higher up in the pyramid because they see us as a place where they can improve, get better and they've seen that with the guys we've done that with previously."

[themaclad]

Walsall have signed versatile defender Mason Hancock from Scottish Championship club Airdrieonians on an initial two-year contract.

The 22-year-old can play at left wing-back and full-back and began his career with Fulham before moving to Scotland and joining Aberdeen ahead of the 2021-22 season.

Hancock made four senior appearances for The Dons in the Scottish League Cup before having loan spells with Stirling Albion and Arbroath.

In two seasons with Airdrieonians, Hancock played 66 games and scored eight goals.

His deal with the League Two Saddlers includes an option for a further year.

"He's someone I've been watching for a long time," head coach Mat Sadler said., external

"He's done really well up in the Scottish Championship in the last couple of seasons.

"He'll add some power and athleticism on that left hand side and comes with really good pedigree for that quality left foot he has."

Hancock is the third defender to arrive at Walsall in the summer transfer window following Courtney Clarke from Eastbourne Borough and Harrison Burke from Chester.

[themaclad]

Walsall midfielder Ronan Maher has signed a new two-year deal with the League Two club.

The 20-year-old is a graduate of the Saddlers academy and has made 29 first-team appearances since making his debut on the opening day of the 2022-23 season.

Maher played twice in League Two at the start of last term before spending two separate loan spells in the National League with Tamworth.

He said the temporary moves were "really beneficial" to his development and added: "Definitely this season I am ready to make my mark in the first team and make a real impact".

Maher's new deal follows the permanent signings of defenders Harrison Burke and Mason Hancock and wing-back Courtney Clarke so far this summer.

[themaclad]

Versatile forward Albert Adomah has signed a new one-year contract with Walsall.

The 37-year-old made 54 appearances for the Saddlers last term, including 42 in the league, as they lost in the League One play-off final despite being 12 points clear at the top of the table at the start of the year and 10 points ahead of fourth place with 11 games remaining.

Adomah joined Walsall from Queens Park Rangers last summer and his first season at the Bescot Stadium saw him make the 700th appearance of his 17-year career.

"I feel really loved here by the supporters and I want to keep playing as much as I possibly can and helping the team wherever I can as well," Adomah said., external

"Unfortunately, last season didn't finish with the moment that we all wanted it to but I really enjoyed my time here and it was an easy decision for me to decide to stay here for another year."

Adomah is the second member of the Saddlers squad in the last few days to agree fresh terms ahead of the new season after midfielder Ronan Maher signed on for another two years.

[themaclad]

Walsall have made a double signing bringing in forward Aaron Pressley from Stevenage and Exeter City wing-back Vincent Harper.

Pressley, 23, has moved for an undisclosed fee and agreed a three-year contract with the Saddlers.

He scored four times in 32 appearances for Stevenage after joining from Brentford in August 2023.

The Scot began his career with Aston Villa before also had loans spells with AFC Wimbledon, Accrington Stanley and Barrow.

Harper, 24, has agreed a two-year contract, with an option for a further 12 months, after two seasons with the Grecians.

Harper played 65 times for Exeter having joined them from National League side Eastleigh in June 2023.

Walsall head coach Mat Sadler said Harper is a "very explosive wing-back with a very athletic profile" and his English Football League experienced made him a "very important signing" for the club.

Harper joins defenders Mason Hancock and Harrison Burke and fellow wing-back Courtney Clarke at the Bescot Stadium ahead of the new campaign which begins at home to Swindon Town on Saturday, 2 August.

The Saddlers have also announced forward Jamille Matt has signed a new one-year deal to remain with the League Two club.

The 35-year-old scored 12 goals last season as the Saddlers reached the play-off final but lost to AFC Wimbledon at Wembley.

That tally was his best since joining the club from Forest Green Rovers in the January transfer window in 2023.

"I love playing for this football club and playing in front of the Saddlers fans," Matt said., external

"It's something I wanted to continue and I am excited to help the team with my experience in the coming season."

Matt is the third player to renew terms this summer after Albert Adomah and Ronan Maher agreed new one-year and two-year deals respectively.

---

Walsall defender Priestley Farquharson has signed a new one-year contract extension which includes the option of a further year.

Farquharson, 28, joined Walsall in July 2023 after leaving Newport County and has played 24 times for the club. The centre-back's previous contract had been due to expire this month.

Due to a thigh injury he was limited to just three appearances last season as Walsall finished third in League Two and reached the play-off final but ultimately missed out on promotion following a 1-0 defeat against AFC Wimbledon.

Farquharson said: "There's some unfinished business I feel from last season because of the end we had."

He added: "We all know it wasn't how we wanted our season to finish but we have to use that as motivation moving forward.

"I had my own frustrations last season with my injury but I'm determined to work even hard this year to make sure I make my contributions count even more both on and off the pitch."

Goalkeeper Sam Hornby, 30, has also committed his future to the club, signing a new two-year deal.

Hornby, who featured 12 times in the 2024-25 season following his free transfer arrival last summer, told the club website, external: "Last season obviously ended in the disappointment of missing out on promotion at Wembley but there were still some incredible memories that were created as a squad and as a whole club and I am sure there's areas that we can build on going into the new season."

[themaclad]

Walsall have signed goalkeeper Myles Roberts on a season-long loan from Watford.

Roberts, 23, began his career at Reading before joining the Hornets in 2020, but is yet to make a league appearance for them.

During the 2024-25 campaign, he spent six months at Scottish Championship side Partick Thistle, before joining Bristol Rovers in League One.

"I'm buzzing to be here and for us to finally get everything sorted and get this over the line," Roberts told the Saddlers website, external.

"It was a big thing for me to be able to get the move done so I could be with the lads right from the first day of pre-season, because I think that's going to be important for me as part of my development here at Walsall.

"I had a really strong start to last season, playing regularly up in Scotland and it was a real learning curve for me. I am now ready for my next step and I am really looking forward to the season ahead with the Saddlers and I'm already looking ahead to the first game of the season at home in front of the fans.

"The conversations I've had with the head coach have been really positive and now I am excited to come in and work with the rest of the keepers and to really push on."

Roberts has also spent time on loan in non-league with Wealdstone, Tonbridge Angels, Wingate and Finchley, Concord Rangers and Welling United.

---

Walsall have made their fourth new signing in five days after agreeing a season-long loan with Premier League side Bournemouth for teenage striker Jonny Stuttle.

The 19-year-old is yet to feature in the Cherries' first-team but has been a prolific scorer for the club's youth sides.

He scored 42 goals in 35 games for the under-16s side in his first season, then 20 the following year and spent last season getting his first taste of senior football.

After a short spell with Aldershot in the National League, he moved to National League South side Farnborough in January and finished with 10 goals from 19 appearances.

"It's a massive club and it seemed like the right move for me and the next step in my development so I am really happy to be here," Stuttle said about joining the Saddlers., external

"It went really well at Farnborough, I really enjoyed my time there and it has put me in good stead for this season and the future ahead but I am really looking forward to my time here."

Head coach Mat Sadler described Stuttle as "a well-rounded forward" who will "add something different" to his attacking options.

"We ended up beating off a lot of competition to secure the signing of Jonny for the season and we feel that with our record of improving, nurturing and looking after young players, that put us at the front of the queue," Sadler said.

Stuttle's arrival follows the recent signings of goalkeeper Myles Roberts, on a season-long loan from Watford, plus Stevenage forward Aaron Pressley and Exeter City wing-back Vincent Harper on permanent deals.

[themaclad]

Walsall have signed Derby County defender Daniel Cox on a season-long loan deal.

The 19-year-old has been on trial with the Saddlers and played in friendlies against Leamington and Hereford.

Cox told the club website, external: "I'm a defender so first and foremost, I want to keep the ball out of the net. I like to travel with the ball going forward and I've got a good range of passing so I try and start attacks as well."

He has represented Wales at Under-19 level and played nine times for National League South side Enfield Town while on loan there during the 2024-25 campaign.

Head coach Mat Sadler said: "Dan is a really strong, well thought of defender from Derby and we thank them for their help on this one thanks to the relationships that we have with them."

Walsall begin their League Two season at home to Swindon Town on Saturday, 2 August.

[themaclad]

Walsall have signed Jake Hollman from Australian A-League side Macarthur FC on a free transfer.

The 23-year-old midfielder has agreed a two-year contract with the option of a further year.

Hollman made over 100 appearances for Macarthur and featured in two Australia Cup wins in 2022 and 2024.

He scored 16 goals during his five-year spell with the club and has also been capped by Australia at Under-23s level.

The New South Wales-born midfielder said it was his dream to move to England.

"It's a privilege and an honour to be here and I can't wait for the season to start," he told the club website., external

"English football was always that pinnacle for me as an Australian. It's the hub of football and I can't wait to start playing." he added.

The Saddlers begin their new League Two campaign at home to Swindon Town on Saturday, 2 August.

[themaclad]

Walsall have signed midfielder Lewis Warrington on a two-year contract after he left Leyton Orient.

The 22-year-old began his career with Everton and played on loan for Tranmere, Fleetwood and Plymouth.

He joined Orient last summer and spent the second half of last season on loan in League Two with Salford.

He said, external: "I like to get on the ball and make us play but I do the other side really well as well, I love a tackle and I'm aggressive.

"I've played a fair few games in this division and divisions higher as well so I'm quite experienced. I feel like I can help the team and go one better than last year. That's the main aim and I'm excited."

The Saddlers lost the League Two play-off final to AFC Wimbledon last season and begin their campaign against Swindon on Saturday.