Walsall Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of defender Ash Taylor on a two-year contract.
The 30-year-old joins the Saddlers following his departure from Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen.
Taylor began his career at Tranmere Rovers where he made 204 appearances, scoring 11 times over a six-year spell at Prenton Park.
He moved up to Scotland and signed for the Dons in 2014 and enjoyed plenty of success at Pittodrie.
The defender helped Aberdeen to three consecutive second place finishes in the Scottish Premiership and also played a key role in helping the club reach both the Scottish Cup final and Scottish League Cup final in the 2016-17 season, losing to Celtic both times.
The former Wales Under 21 international has 17 appearances in the UEFA Europa League to his name and has come up against the likes of Real Sociedad, Maribor and Sporting CP for Aberdeen in the competition.
In 2017, Taylor moved back to England to join Northampton Town. He scored seven goals in the 2017-18 season and played 88 times during his two year stint at Sixfields.
He returned to Aberdeen in 2019 and featured 51 times over the course of two seasons, helping the Dons finish fourth in 2020 and 2021.
Taylor is now looking forward to his new challenge at the Banks’s Stadium.
“I’m delighted to get it all sorted and I’m excited to get going,” Taylor said.
“I’m looking to bring leadership qualities, I enjoy defending and I like to keep clean sheets, that’s what I try to do first and foremost.
“Also, bring a bit of experience and know-how in terms of how to win games and take the club forward.
“The brand of football and the job the Head Coach wants to do at this football club is exciting and I’m buying into what he wants to do, where he wants to take this football club and that’s what I’m excited about.”
Saddlers Head Coach Matthew Taylor is pleased to add the defender to his squad.
“Ash is a player that we have been in dialogue with for a period of time and I’m really pleased we’ve managed to secure his signature,” he said.
“There was lots of competition for him so for us to be able to compete and get a player of his experience and knowledge is a huge coup for the club.
“He’ll bring experience, leadership, calmness on the pitch, he’s an organiser and a very good defender.
“I think our fans will be extremely pleased to see him in a Walsall shirt and I’m extremely happy and looking forward to working with him on a daily basis.”
The transfer is subject to EFL, FA and international clearance.