Walsall striker transfer agreed

Striker Martin Butler has finalised a permanent transfer from Walsall to Grimsby for an undisclosed fee.

Butler has been at Blundell Park on loan since September when he became locked in a bitter contract dispute with the Saddlers and refused to play for the club.

The 33-year-old agreed a longer-term contract before completing his loan move and the clubs have now rubber-stamped the transfer, which will take effect on January 1.

A small fee will be involved but neither club has revealed the exact figure, which is likely to be small as Butler’s Banks’s Stadium contract was due to expire at the end of this season.

Read the full story in today’s Express & Star.