Walsall Football Club can confirm that first-team coach Neil Cutler has left the club to take up a new position at West Bromwich Albion.
Neil joined The Saddlers as goalkeeping coach in June 2013, succeeding club legend Mick Kearns in the role and working with the likes of Richard O’Donnell and Neil Etheridge, as well as current stoppers Liam Roberts and Mark Gillespie.
Cutler’s playing career saw him start at West Brom before going on to play for Crewe Alexandra, Chester City, Aston Villa, Stoke City, Stockport County and Rotherham United.
As Cutler was under contract until 2019, we can confirm that Albion have met the full compensation as per the terms of Neil’s contract.
“The club have been amazing to me over the past four or five years,” Cutler told Saddlers.co.uk. “Everyone involved with the club has been fantastic.
“It’s been progression over that four or five years – I’ve learned so much, especially from the manager (Jon Whitney), who has been amazing.
“The fans have been fantastic to myself as well. So when it came to making that decision, it wasn’t easy.
“But going to the Premier League with a team like West Brom – who were my club when I was growing up – was an offer I just couldn’t turn down.”
Manager Jon Whitney said: “I class Neil as not just an associate but a really good friend. Sometimes opportunities come along in football that you just can’t turn down, regardless of how much you’re enjoying your current job.
“West Brom are his childhood club and it’s a chance to run out at places like Anfield and Goodison in his first few games.
“I’m losing a really good coach – and he’s been more than just a goalkeeping coach – but this is an opportunity now for someone else to come in.
“I wish Neil all the best and it’s a chance for him to show the Premier League how good he is.”
Walsall Football Club would like to thank Neil for his service to the club over the last five years and wish him all the best for the future.
Saddlers.co.uk will bring more from Cutler on his departure later today.