Walsall sign three and let one go on deadline day
Walsall signed defenders Krystian Bielik and Jack Fitzwater as well as forward Julien Ngoy on a busy deadline day that also saw Simeon Jackson depart the Bank's Stadium.
Bielik and Fitzwater both joined on loan from Arsenal and Albion respectively with the duo giving boss Jon Whitney some much needed competition at centre-back.
Meanwhile, Ngoy arrived on a temporary basis from Stoke with the forward joining subject to FA, EFL and Premier League clearance.
Walsall began deadline day with the squad looking light on numbers but a frantic few hours saw Whitney land a number of his transfer targets.
Despite interest from a host of clubs in League One and abroad, the Saddlers snapped up Poland under-19 international Bielik who impressed on loan in the Championship with Blues last season.
"Krystian is a very technical, ball-playing centre-half," Whitney said.
"He had a good loan spell with Birmingham last season, so he’s got a Midlands connection.
"He was really good for them but he’s had a shoulder injury in the last few months.
“I’ve been chasing him for about two or three weeks and we’ve persuaded him to come here ahead of other League One clubs and some abroad, too."
Fitzwater – who spent the first part of the campaign on loan at Forest Green – also adds strength to Walsall's defence with Kory Roberts and Jon Guthrie the club's only senior centre-backs before yesterday's transfer flourish.
"Jack is a right-sided centre-half and I really like his attitude," Whitney continued.
“He’s someone that West Brom have really high hopes for – I spoke with their staff and he’s one they really like.
“You can see he’s got that in the way he plays, and he’s coming in to try to force his way into the starting line-up with us.
“He’s gone out and got some really good experience at Forest Green this season.
"This continues the club's good relationship with West Brom and we hope that continues into the future."
Ngoy is highly thought of at Stoke and has featured for the Potters in the Premier League. The forward is a Belgian under-21 international.
Meanwhile, Jackson appears to have played his last game for the Saddlers he left to join League Two Grimsby on loan until the end of the season.
The Canadian international, who is out of contract in the summer, has only made one start for the Saddlers in the 2017/18 campaign.
