Walsall sign Aston Villa's Kevin Toner on loan

The news was announced on the same day the youngster also signed a two-year deal at Villa Park

The 20-year old Irishman becomes Jon Whitney's 14th signing of the summer and makes the move across the West Midlands to bolster the clubs defensive options.

"I'm delighted to have got it all sorted and I can't wait to get going, " said Toner, who will wear number 32.

"I want to get out and play football and when the Gaffer said he wanted me to come here I was delighted.

"I've played here a few times with Villa u21's so I know the stadium as well which helps.

"But I'm not coming here just to make the numbers up. I want to do well. I want to help the team and help the boys.

"My loan at Kidderminster was a bit of an eye opener because you're so used to the perfect pitches and the perfect everything.

"Coming here feels a bit more like home."

Toner's career began with his hometown side Ashbourne United before making the move to Home Farm in 2010. Following a string of impressive displays in Ireland, he joined Aston Villa Academy two years later where he continued his development.

The move to the Banks's will be his second loan spell away from the Villa having featured six times in a loan move to Kidderminster Harriers last season.

The left-sided centre-back returned to his parent club in January and captained the U21 side who played their home games at the Banks's Stadium.

The all action defender was handed his senior debut three months later, replacing Micah Richards in a 4-2 home defeat to Southampton and went on to make a further three Premier League appearances against Watford, Newcastle and Arsenal before the end of the season.

"Kevin is an aggressive, front foot defender who also has a lot of quality on the ball," Jon Whitney added.

"I've brought him in to bolster our defensive options which we've been short of over the last few weeks.

"He's someone we've been monitoring for over a month now and I know he's highly thought of at Aston Villa.

"I'm sure he'll be a really good addition to the group and offers us some natural balance being a left footer and being able to play at left-back.

"I think the way we do things here can help him with this development and hopefully we can be successful together."