Emmanuel Osadebe: I've found a home at Walsall

The attacking midfielder left Macclesfield in February 2020 and was set to sign for Southend, before a transfer embargo meant he was unable to be registered.

After months without a club during the first coronavirus lockdown, Osadebe was eventually contacted by Brian Dutton – who was then the assistant manager at Walsall – about signing at the Banks's Stadium.

After an inconsistent start to his Saddlers career, Osadebe has been given an extended run in the team by Dutton, resulting in several impressive performances, and after signing a new contract with the club the 24-year-old is feeling at home with Walsall.

He said: "I am happy and extremely grateful to god, the chairman, Darrell (Clarke) and especially the gaffer. He's the one that brought me in initially.

"The boys have been top class with me.

"After everything I went through, nine or 10 months without a club and the situation with Macclesfield and Southend, it feels really good to be somewhere you're appreciated by the fans, manager and team-mates.

"It will only make me continue to give my best for them, I'm very grateful for this opportunity.

"I do believe in myself and I know my ability, the players around me help a lot too with their movement off the ball.

"Credit to the gaffer, he has shown a lot of faith in me and I want to repay him, the club, the chairman and especially the fans as well.

"I just want to do my best and show what we're about as a team."

When asked if the fans are starting to see the real Osadebe, he added: "Definitely! There's still quite a bit more to come, but I want to show it's a regular thing.

"We are working hard and that's the direction I want to go, to show them what I'm really about."