Marc-Antoine Gbarssin joins Walsall

Walsall today signed French midfielder Marc-Antoine Gbarssin on loan from Carlisle until the end of March - as Jason Price headed back to Brunton Park.

The 26-year-old has moved to the Banks's Stadium to fill the void left by Matt Gill's return to Norwich.

Manager Dean Smith said: "I have a contact in Belgium who first made me aware of Marc-Antoine when he was playing for Royal Antwerp and I have kept tabs on him ever since.

"He is a ball-winning midfielder who can pass the ball and also has a real physical presence. Whilst Emmanuel Ledesma will give us flair and unpredictability, Marc-Antoine has a solid and no-nonsense style.

"He is a welcome addition to the squad."

Subject to the necessary clearance being received, Gbarssin will be available for the Saddlers' trip to Swindon on Saturday. He has been handed the number 23 shirt.

Gbarssin is a defensive midfielder who began his career with his hometown club, Bordeaux.

The Frenchman then joined Grenoble and had spells in Belgium with Limbeek and Virton, before linking up with Belgian giants Royal Antwerp in the summer of 2007, spending three years with the club and making 60 league appearances.

After leaving Antwerp last summer he had a successful trial with Italian club Bologna and was poised to sign until a change of manager scuppered the deal.

Instead he headed to Danish side Fredericia but was on the move again in December, when Carlisle offered him a deal after he impressed in a trial spell with the Cumbrians.

Gbarssin is an obvious candidate to fill Gill's shoes in the heart of midfield after the Norwich midfielder's impressive loan spell was cut short by the Norfolk side.

It's the second new arrival at the Saddlers in the last week, after Argentine playmaker Ledesma signed a short-term deal last week.

However, Price has returned to Brunton Park from Walsall after his loan spell came to an end.

The 33-year-old made four starts and one substitute appearance during his time at the Banks's Stadium.

But the continued emergence of Will Grigg, the presence of Jon Macken and the return to fitness of Price's good friend, Saddlers captain Darren Byfield, has left the Welshman surplus to requirements in Smith's squad.