Hughes joins Saddlers on a free

Walsall today swooped for their first signing of the summer after capturing Mark Hughes on a free transfer.

The defender moves from Northampton Town after seeing his contract offer withdrawn by the relegated Cobblers.

The 22-year-old will replace Anthony Gerrard in the Saddlers back-line and, like Gerrard, is a former Everton reserves captain.

Boss Chris Hutchings was thrilled to finally start adding to his squad after losing several key members of his first team.

"We are delighted with this acquisition," Hutchings. "Mark is a leader and a talker who has been captain of both Northampton and Everton reserves prior to that.

"We have had him watched regularly and received plenty of good feedback; he uses the ball well and arrives here at the right age ready to fill the void left by Anthony Gerrard's recent departure."

He made three appearances for the Toffees, making his Premier League debut against West Ham in 2006, before moving to Sixfields for an undisclosed fee in January 2007.

The former Stockport loanee played 106 times for the Cobblers, scoring four goals, and can also play in midfield.

Hutchings is now expecting an influx of new faces ahead of the League One kick-off at Brighton on August 8.

"This is the first of what we hope will be the first of new signings as we continue to work hard behind the scenes to strengthen the squad," he said.

Hughes' arrival lifts the gloom around the Banks's Stadium following Chris Palmer and Sofiene Zaaboub's comments that they needed more security.

The pair rejected new deals this week, with Palmer joining Gillingham and Zaaboub assessing his options.