Walsall complete signing of Northern Ireland U21 international Rory Holden

Walsall have signed Northen Ireland Under 21 international Rory Holden from Bristol City on a permanent basis, the League Two club have announced. 

The 22-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell at the Banks’s Stadium during the curtailed 2019/20 season, scoring twice in 36 appearances in all competitions.

Holden who was born in Derry began his career at Derry City before signing for the Robins in the summer of 2017 after a successful trial.

The attacker made an instant impact when he scored the winner on his debut for Ian Baraclough’s under-21 side in the 1-0 friendly win over Luxembourg in September 2018.

He has also spent time on loan at Barrow AFC and Rochdale before moving to the Midlands last summer to go out on loan at the Saddlers. 

Holden netted his first EFL goal in dramatic fashion last season as his 90th minute winner saw the Saddlers overturn a 2-0 deficit to beat Northampton Town back in February.

He also scored in what proved to be Walsall’s final match of the 2019-20 season against Exeter City back in March before the coronavirus pandemic ended the League Two season. 

"I’m buzzing to be back,” said Holden. “After last season, I wanted to come back and I had been speaking to the gaffer over the off season and I’m happy to get it done now and I can’t wait to kick on.

“Last season, it took a little bit of time for me to settle in but this year there won’t be that because I have made relationships with the staff and the lads who are here, so hopefully I can just hit the ground running and try and contribute as much as I can to the team.

“In my first season, you have to learn how people play and you have to learn about their game but this year I know what everyone is about and they know what I am like so it will be easy for me to settle back in," concluded Holden.

“As we all saw last season, especially towards the end of the campaign, Rory is a fantastic player,” added Saddlers boss Darrell Clarke. 

“He was somebody who we were really keen to work with again and I’m really pleased to see him back at the club permanently this time.

“Rory has an exceptional work ethic, which I mentioned last season, he knows the squad and what we’re about as a team and I’m really expecting him to push on again this season for us.”