Walsall sign ex-Villa man Isaiah Osbourne

Walsall manager Dean Smith believes he's added guile to his side after bringing in former Aston Villa midfielder Isaiah Osbourne.

moreThe Saddlers snuck in a signing outside of the transfer window with the capture of Osbourne today, who has signed a one-year contract.

The 27-year-old Brummie was a free agent, after leaving League One rivals Scunthorpe United in the summer, where he was offered a new deal.

He's been training with Walsall in the hope of landing a deal, with boss Smith taking a punt as he's confident he can get the player up to speed.

He said: "Isaiah did really well at Scunthorpe last season and got offered a contract. He was one of the main reasons they stayed in the league.

"He's local to the area. We all know his association with Aston Villa and he has got all the credentials to be a really good player.

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"He has been with us for the past week. We had him last season, as well, but I didn't think he was quite there with his fitness.

"He's already proved that, so he will certainly strengthen us and give us some experience and know-how in central midfield."

Osbourne made 19 first-team appearances for Villa after coming through the ranks, but was released by the claret and blues in 2011.

He'd spent time out on loan at the likes of Nottingham Forest, Middlesborough and Sheffield Wednesday before he was let go by Villa.

He then headed north of the border to play in the Scottish Premier League for Hibernian, spending one season at Easter Road before moving on.

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Blackpool brought him back into English football and kept him for two years, but he'd fell out of favour at Bloomfield Road by last October.

Scunthorpe took him on a three-month loan deal, which was extended until the end of the campaign, but he wasn't keen on staying further.

Smith said: "There was a big expectation on him at Villa and a lot of players coming through at the time. He's 27 now and he has got some big years ahead of him.

"He will come and help us. He's is a box-to-box midfielder who can break things up, keep it simple and nick a goal as well."