Former Derby County striker Kemar Roofe has confirmed his departure from hometown club Walsall after a brief spell in League Two.
The 33-year-old, who most recently featured in the EFL for Derby, joined Walsall in November 2025 on a short-term contract. However, his time with the Saddlers proved short-lived, with just four appearances in all competitions before his exit was announced.
Roofe confirmed the news himself via social media, writing:
“The Saddlers, it’s been a pleasure being part of this club, even though it has been very short. “Hope you all the success and promotion.”
His departure marks another chapter in a 15-year professional career that has spanned England, Belgium and Scotland. After emerging through the academy at West Bromwich Albion, he gained early senior experience through a series of loan spells before establishing himself at Oxford United. A prolific 2015-16 campaign earned him a move to Leeds United, where he became a key figure across three seasons in the Championship.
A £7 million switch to Anderlecht followed in 2019, before he returned to British football with Rangers in 2020. During his time in Glasgow, Roofe made 102 appearances in all competitions, scoring 38 goals and winning the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup, as well as reaching the Europa League final in 2022.
After leaving Rangers in the summer of 2024, he spent eight months as a free agent before signing a short-term deal with Derby in February 2025. Injuries restricted his impact at Pride Park, with just three substitute appearances before the club opted not to extend his stay beyond the end of the 2024-25 season.
What next?
Now 33, Roofe finds himself once again assessing his next step. His spell at Walsall may have been brief, but his career remains notable for silverware in Scotland, promotion success earlier in his journey and experience across multiple divisions.
He has only just announced the decision, and if he has left in the last three weeks, he will be unable to make a move to another EFl club. He has only played four times for the Saddlers, so will lack match fitness.
Best guess here is the National League. Solihull Moors and Tamworth are both close to the player’s home in Walsall, and both are fighting for promotion, but right on the fringes – 10 points adrift of the top seven.
There’s zero doubt Roofe would be a solid signing for either side if the wages can align.
