'I'm delighted' - Andy Dallas snapped up by Walsall following confirmation of Barnsley FC exit
Andy Dallas finds new club after confirmation of Barnsley release
Andy Dallas has been snapped up by League Two outfit Walsall after being released by Barnsley.
The 26-year-old arrived at Oakwell in the summer of 2023, penning a three-year deal after starring in the National League with Solihull Moors.
It did not work out for Dallas in South Yorkshire and he was recently released after managing just five appearances for the Reds. He spent the bulk of his three-year deal out on loan, representing Kilmarnock, Oldham Athletic, Barrow, Morecambe and Southend United.
Andy Dallas snapped up after Barnsley exit
Dallas scored 17 goals in the fifth tier for Southend last term and has been rewarded with another EFL contract. The marksman has put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Walsall, becoming the first signing of the Lee Grant era at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium.
"I'm delighted to be here,” he told the club’s website. “I’ve been speaking to the club for a few weeks now and was always confident in wanting to get it done.
“As soon as I got back from my holiday I couldn’t wait to get along to the stadium and get it done. From my initial conversations with the manager, selling me the project and what he wants from me, I just felt that I could come and be a part of it which I’m looking forward to doing.
"I’m a striker that can get in behind, link up play and it goes without saying that I like to score goals as every striker does.
"The club has a great fanbase and a great stadium so everything about the project really appealed to me. I had a good season at Southend last year - a great club who I hope will be back in the EFL sooner rather than later and I scored a few goals there as we know.
“That’s what I want to do here and I just can't wait to wear the jersey, hit the ground running and hopefully we can have an enjoyable season together."
Lee Grant welcomes new addition
“I'm delighted to bring Andy to the football club,” added Saddlers boss Grant. “He's someone who we've been looking at for some time and had a productive spell on loan last season, where he was able to make 20 goal contributions.
“He has a strong list of attributes and comes to us at an exciting moment in his career. Andy is hungry for success and is a welcome addition to our forward unit as we prepare for the new season.
"I'm pleased to get this deal over the line in preparation for pre-season and looking forward to seeing Andy demonstrate his talents in front of our supporters.”