Saddlers swoop to sign Florent Cuvelier

Walsall this afternoon swooped for Stoke youngster Florent Cuvelier – after releasing winger Claude Gnakpa.

The Saddlers have signed the Belgian midfielder on a month's loan as they look for reinforcements ahead of the close of the transfer window on Tuesday.

Cuvelier, a Belgium youth international, stands by to make his debut in Tuesday's League One visit of Notts County.

"He's a lad that we have been aware of for some time," said boss Dean Smith. "He's played against us a couple of times for Stoke reserves this season and did well on each occasion.

"I would describe him as a creative midfielder who gets on the ball and is technically very good.

"He's a young lad who is eager to show what he can do and the experience is going to do him good here."

The 19-year-old joined Stoke in 2010 from Portsmouth after the Potters beat Manchester City and Tottenham to his signature.

He replaces Gnakpa who was allowed to quit the Saddlers just six months after signing from Luton.

Gnakpa made 10 starts – and 26 appearances in total – for Walsall but scored just twice, his last coming in the dramatic 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day.

He was left out of the squad for last weekend's 1-1 draw at Carlisle and is expected to join Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

"We've come to a mutual agreement with Claude," said manager, Dean Smith. "He was frustrated at not getting as many starts as he would have liked here.

"Sometimes things don't work out in football and it is best to move on elsewhere.

"He leaves with our best wishes for the future.

"His departure does free up funds which will enable us to strengthen the squad in other areas."