Walsall complete signing of experienced defender Aden Flint on one-year deal

The 36-year-old was released by League One side Mansfield Town at the end of last season, after scoring three goals in 93 appearances for the Stags. 

Flint played every league game as Mansfield achieved automatic promotion from League Two in 2023-24. 

His arrival comes after Walsall sold Irish centre-back David Okagbue to third-tier outfit Peterborough United for an undisclosed fee. 

"I've been in the building over the last couple of weeks training, getting to know the lads and the staff so I'm glad to get it over the line," Flint said. 

"I've got plenty of experience and if I can help the lads in anyway possible to achieve our goal at the end of the season then that will be a job done.

"Hopefully I can get some minutes in the next couple of games coming up and then start the season up and running. I'm looking forward and really excited for it."

Boss Mat Sadler added: "Aden has got fantastic experience at this level and levels above in the English pyramid. 

"He's had a brilliant career and he comes to us to add a different dimension to the back-line. His experience and his voice around some of our younger guys will be invaluable but he's not just here to be that. 

"He wants to continue his career and have another successful chapter to what has already been a fantastic one. He's been with us for a period of time so we've had a chance to look at each other. 

"Aden adds real competition and real leadership alongside the other fantastic defenders that we have and he's also a real threat from defensive and attacking set plays." 

Flint has played over 500 games for the likes of Swindon Town, Bristol City, Middlesbrough, Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City. 

The 6ft 6in defender won League Two with Swindon under Paolo Di Canio in 2012 and lifted League One three years later with Bristol City.

He scored a hat-trick in an 8-2 win over the Saddlers on the final day of the 2014-15 season, and also netted the opener in a 2-0 win for the Robins against Walsall in the EFL Trophy final at Wembley earlier that season.

In 2017-18, Flint featured in every game as Bristol City reached the League Cup semi-finals and scored in a semi-final defeat against Manchester City.

Flint becomes the ninth signing to land at Bescot this summer and becomes the second oldest member of the squad, behind only 37-year-old Albert Adomah.