Alfie Bates leaves Walsall to join SJK Seinajoki in Finland

Midfielder Bates leaves the Saddlers having made 68 senior appearances, having initially joined their youth ranks aged 15.

Now 20, he is heading to Finland, with Walsall having received an undisclosed compensation package.

SJK finished third in the Veikkausliiga last year while the new season begins in April.

They are home to former Birmingham striker Jake Jervis, and they have a Welsh technical director in Richie Dorman.

"In the coming season, my goal is to play as much as possible, and thus help the team and follow to achieve all the goals," said Bates.

"I’m already looking forward to playing soon."

Bates made an impressive breakthrough under Darrell Clarke a couple of years ago, but this season he has found game time difficult to come by.

All four of his appearances in 2021/22 have come in the EFL Trophy, and he is now pursuing a new opportunity in the Finnish top flight.

Head coach Joaquin Gomez was delighted to get his man.

"Bates is exactly the player in the venue for which we have been looking for confirmation for some time and we have not found a perfect match before," enthused Gomez.

"We’ve done all the background checks on him closely, and we’ve been following him for a long time.

"That’s why we believe we’ve now found just the player we want.

"He may be a little younger than we had planned for the role, but Alfie is very good in terms of player type and personality.

"He withstands pressure and has played at a good, competitive level in England.

"Alfie doesn't need a pre-season either, as she comes here in the middle of the season and is ready to play right away.

"We’re working to get him involved right away so he can quickly learn how our team plays and get to know his new playmates.

"Alfie also knows what role we want him to get here, and I think he can help us quickly."