Walsall new signing Darren Byfield believes he is back home after completing his return to the club.

The free agent has penned a deal until January, with the option to extend until the end of the season, following his release from a short-term deal at Oldham.

Byfield started his career at Villa before making his name in a permanent switch to the Saddlers in 2000 and scored 17 goals in 92 appearances, before a £50,000 move to Rotherham in 2002.

Now the returning striker is in line to feature at home to former club Gillingham tomorrow.

He said: “Coming back ‘home’ is a great feeling. I am so excited and just can’t wait to get out there and play.

“The club has come a long way since I was last here. The training ground is amazing and the stadium has developed so much.

“I just want to get games under my belt and hopefully the Walsall supporters will see the best of me.

There is a lot of potential here and we have some good young lads. If I can pass on my experience and help them to develop, that will be great.”

Byfield scored the goal in the 3-2 win over Reading which sent the Saddlers up to the Championship, in the 2001 play-off final at the Millennium Stadium.

The now 32-year-old admits he still watches the highlights of the game.

He said: “My first spell here was the most memorable of my career. I still play the video of that play-off final and it never fails to cheer me up.

“It was strange because in the build-up to that game, all the lads knew I would score the winner and even sitting on the bench, I was convinced that I would come on and grab the winning goal.

“To see the ball hit the back of the net was easily the best moment of my career.”

The experienced Byfield has also played for Sunderland, Gillingham, Millwall, Bristol City, Doncaster and Oldham, netting 93 times in 383 career appearances.

Walsall chief Chris Hutchings swooped after he left Oldham and believes Byfield’s pedigree speaks for itself.

The manager said: “Darren is a player that our supporters know all about and has a proven track record.

“He has scored goals wherever he has been and that is what we have brought him in to do here.”