Walsall have finally struck a deal to sign Harrogate Town‘s Reece Smith after a long-winded chase for the 24-year-old.
The midfielder proved to be a top target for new Saddlers manager Lee Grant this summer and had submitted at least two bids to sign him, both of which were knocked back in June.
Smith Makes EFL Return
Now, a breakthrough has been made by Walsall in their hunt to sign Smith, with Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke now reporting that he is set to undergo a medical in order to join the Bescot side.
Having played in all but one of the Sulphurites’ League Two matches last season, the former Maidenhead United man is now on course to leave North Yorkshire ahead of the start of their National League season in two weeks’ time.
He was involved in Harrogate’s pre-season preparations against Cleethorpes Town, but missed out in their most recent friendlies against Doncaster Rovers and South Shields, which Town boss Simon Weaver chalked down to injury.
It has been a fairly quiet window for Walsall so far, but have conducted some incoming business, having recruited Lewis Simper following his release from Sutton United last month.
They have already stocked their midfield department with a new option, having poached Sven Sprangler from St Johnstone, who was previously of interest to fellow League Two rivals Newport County.
Crucial Deal Reached
Reece Smith proved to be a cut above last season in his debut campaign in the EFL, and despite an overall failure from Harrogate Town which led to their relegation into non-league, the 24-year-old could certainly say he tried his hardest to avert that disaster.
Having been a long-term target for Walsall this window, his signature will be a welcome boost to the club as they look to try and return to being promotion contenders, and now have a new creative force to support their attacking ranks.
With two goals and five assists in a Harrogate side that struggled for a majority of the campaign, a step up to Walsall should see his numbers rise higher, with last season seeing him rank as one of League Two’s best chance creators.
After securing Andrew Dallas earlier in the window to fill the vacancy of Daniel Kanu, Walsall should be well-prepared in terms of options, and now it will be up to Grant to get them performing and attempt to get them into League One.
