Walsall FC are delighted to announce Shay Facey as our sixth signing of the summer.
The former Manchester City defender, 24, spent last season with Northampton Town and has also played for Rotherham United, American outfit New York City and Dutch club Heerenveen.
“I’m really happy to be here,” Facey told iFollow Walsall. “I’ve known for about a week I was coming to the club, so I’m happy to have got things over the line.
“My first meeting with Darrell was very positive. He seems like the type of manager who is very confident, not only in himself but in the bunch of lads he has got at the club, along with his staff.
“He told me to believe in myself and everything he said was positive.
“I have learned something new from every team I have been with during my career and I will be looking to bring those experiences here to Walsall.
“I just want to get off on the right foot, get acquainted with everyone in and around the club and make a really good first impression, on and off the pitch.”
Manager Darrell Clarke added: “Shay has very decent pedigree. He was at Manchester City for a long time as a youngster and got good experience on loan.
“He’s my sort of player, one with something to prove. The hunger and desire’s there to kick himself on.
“He’s got pace, a good leap on him, energy – all things a modern-day full-back has to have.
“He adds a bit of experience at 24 and he’ll be competing for the right-back slot with Cameron Norman.”
Born in Sale, Facey progressed through Manchester City’s youth ranks and gained international recognition with England at various youth levels.
He joined the Citizens’ sister club New York City on loan in March 2015 and played 23 Major League Soccer matches during his time in America.
Facey enjoyed further loan spells at Rotherham, where he made five Championship appearances, and Dutch Eredivisie side Heerenveen before leaving for Northampton in January 2018.
He scored his first career goal in a 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury and appeared 42 times for the Cobblers in total.