Walsall Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of attacking midfielder Jacob Maddox.
The 23-year-old recently left Portuguese side Vitoria Sport Clube and joins the Saddlers on a one-year deal.
Maddox began his career at Bristol City before moving to Chelsea. He was a regular for the Blues in their Under 18s and Under 21s where he played in Premier League 2 and was also involved in the EFL Trophy.
He also featured regularly in the UEFA Youth League and played his part as Chelsea won the competition in the 2015-16 season.
In 2018, he signed for Cheltenham Town on loan in League Two as he got his first taste of senior football.
He played 44 times for the Robins in all competitions and contributed with four goals and three assists.
Maddox enjoyed further loan spells at Tranmere Rovers and Southampton in the 2019-20 season before he left Stamford Bridge permanently in the summer of 2020 to join Vitoria SC.
Last season, the midfielder enjoyed a loan spell in League One with Burton Albion where he played 18 times.
He has also represented England at Under 16s, Under 17s, Under 19s and Under 20s. The midfielder was part of the team that won the 2017 UEFA European Under 19s Championships, playing alongside the likes of Mason Mount, Reece James and Aaron Ramsdale.
Maddox is now looking forward to his new challenge with the Saddlers.
“I am delighted to be here,” he said.
“It is a great opportunity for me to help the team. I like the Club, the ground and the manager.
“I am coming here to play as many games as I can and help the team the best I can.
“I would like to say that I am comfortable on the ball. I will take it on in any area and I want to get others involved in my play.
“I would like to score more goals and get more assists. I feel like I have the qualities to do so, so that is something that I think I can improve on and help the team with this year.”
Head Coach Michael Flynn is pleased to have bolstered his squad and is looking forward to working with the midfielder.
“I’m excited to have Jacob in,” Flynn said.
“He’s technically very good. He came through at Chelsea and has been around a winning environment and that’s key for us because we want winners.
“He played in League One last year and Jacob joins us to try and prove a point and get back to where he should be which is playing week in, week out.”