Walsall FC are delighted to announce the signing of former Norwich captain Russell Martin as player-coach until the end of the season.
Capped 29 times by Scotland, the 32-year-old has made over 500 career appearances for four different clubs, winning four promotions.
“I’m very excited to be here,” said Martin, who will wear shirt number 34.
“It’s been rumbling on for a while. I felt this was the perfect opportunity for me to come into a club that is doing really well, with a manager I know and trust.
“The fact he wants me to get involved in the coaching side as well was a big draw for me. He’s been on the phone to me constantly over the last few weeks and I’m happy to finally get it sorted.
“I’m hoping to add some value on and off the pitch, predominantly as a player. If I can help them off the pitch, which I hope I will with my experience in the game, I believe it will improve us as individuals and as a team.”
Boss Dean Keates added: “It’s a massive coup for us. He’s someone I know from being in the changing room and playing with him for three years down at Peterborough.
“We’ve remained in touch ever since and it was always a case of just waiting and waiting. It’s been a drawn-out process but eventually we’ve got to where we want to be.
“He’ll bring leadership. He captained a club from League One up into the Premier League and worked his way up to become an established international.
“To add that experience to the young group we’ve got is massive. He’ll help with the back four and be an example to the younger lads.”
Brighton-born Martin began his professional career with Wycombe, scoring five goals in 142 games for the Chairboys from 2004 to 2008.
He was an ever-present as Peterborough clinched League One promotion in 2008/09 before joining Norwich, initially on loan, the following campaign.
The experienced defender went on to make over 300 appearances in nine years with the Canaries – 125 of them in the Premier league.
Twenty-second on City’s all-time appearance list, Martin was instrumental as they secured back-to-back promotions from League One to the top flight between 2009 and 2011.
He was also named in the 2014/15 PFA Championship Team of the Year after helping Norwich win promotion via the play-offs, skippering City at Wembley.
Martin enjoyed a loan spell at Rangers last season before leaving Carrow Road in the summer.