Anthony Forde: Walsall the right move for me

"Straight away I wanted to come," says the 20-year-old. "Once I knew they were interested in signing me, it was an easy decision."

Earlier this week the wide man became the Saddlers' seventh arrival of a busy summer, making the switch from neighbours Wolves.

There is no doubt in his mind it was the right move.

"I've played against Walsall a few times before and I have seen them play good football," he said. "Everyone has spoken of them highly.

"Obviously I spoke to the gaffer here and the club appealed to me. I'm delighted to be here."

Listening to what Forde says in his quiet and thoughtful western Irish tones must be music to the ears of boss Dean Smith.

Smith has spent the past three-and-a-half years moulding an environment to attract young and talented players. If Forde is to be believed, word is definitely out.

"It's a good club – everyone knows that," he says. "The way they play football is good and that caught my eye.

"And it is also just the way the place is. When I came in I could tell what it was like.

"I don't really know any of the lads but they have all made me feel really welcome. I came in one day to train and, even though I was only here for a few hours, I could tell it was a good bunch of lads.

"I enjoyed it and it made the decision a bit easier."

His decision, while easy, was not without some regret at leaving the club which had been his home since arriving in England from his native Limerick aged just 15.

But from Forde's perspective, it was a move which had to be made for the good of his career after finding his progress at Wolves stunted of late.

As a teenager, he made six appearances in the Premier League but matched that total last season in League One and did not play a minute after October.

"In a way it was a little bit tough to leave but I had to think of my own career in terms of playing games," he added. "I wasn't playing games and I could not afford to sit around and not play.

"It was a little bit tough but this is more of a positive than anything. It was a good opportunity for me and I am happy.

"It had been a long time but a really good time at Wolves. I enjoyed it, it is obviously a great club and it was a good learning curve for me, bringing me up from youth to senior.

"I was meant to go on loan at Christmas time last year but it never ended up happening and I was injured for about a month and a half.

"After that I was not involved in the first team so I knew coming into this season that I had to get something sorted and this opportunity came up."

Forde knows he now faces a battle to break into a Saddlers side which has enjoyed some success over the season's opening two games, though he hopes to be involved in some capacity against Bradford tomorrow.

"I can't wait to get the season going, I'm looking forward to the challenge," he said. "I hope I can create many goals and score some.

"For the team it is about getting towards the play-offs and getting promoted – that is the main thing isn't it?"