Saddlers sign Josh Ginnelly on six-month loan deal...
WALSALL Football Club are delighted to announce the loan signing of Burnley winger Josh Ginnelly until January 2017.The highly rated 19-year old, who scored 5 times in 20 appearances during a successful loan spell at Altrincham last season, becomes Jon Whitney’s tenth summer signing.
"This is a great move for me," said Ginnelly. "I'm a young player who is still learning but I back myself to do well.
"I was in the National League last year and I couldn't have asked for a better loan. I learned a lot from it and now I've come to a club who were going for promotion in League One.
"Walsall are a very good side and I watched a lot of their games last season and it looked like they play good football.
"Being a winger that's all you can ask for really, getting the ball out wide and being allowed to do your stuff. That's what I enjoy, going straight at players, getting crosses in and hopefully getting a few goals.
"So I'm looking forward to getting on the pitch and showing everyone what I can do."
Ginnelly joined the Clarets a year ago from Shrewsbury Town after making three professional appearances for the Shropshire side.
He was handed his Football League debut at just 17 by the Shrews as a late substitute in the 2-0 home victory over Luton in August 2014.
Prior to that he was part of Aston Villa’s Academy system until the age of 16.
“He’s really highly thought of at Burnley” explained Saddlers Boss Jon Whitney. “ He’s got bags of natural pace and ability but needs to get some league football experience.
“It’s a good marriage for the environment he needs and hopefully we can benefit from his time with us.
“He’s been involved with first team at Burnley all pre-season in friendlies an training and I feel he’s ready to step up to this level.
“He’ll provide us with raw pace in wide areas, something we need and once again character fits the profile we’re after.”
Ginnelly has been allocated squad number 18.