Express & Star

Walsall re-sign winger Josh Ginnelly

Walsall have bolstered their ranks by re-signing winger Josh Ginnelly on a one-year-deal.

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The 21-year-old, who was a free agent after leaving Premier League Burnley, spent the first half of the 2016/17 season on loan with the Saddlers.

Ginnelly made 14 appearances in all competitions before then departing to join Lincoln on a temporary basis where he won promotion from the National League.

Last season the winger repeated the feat when he was part of the Tranmere side that also clinched a place in League Two.

Ginnelly is Walsall’s second signing of the summer following the arrival of striker Andy Cook, who was also at Tranmere last season.

And the youngster believes he has improved a lot over the past two years.

“I’ve known about Walsall’s interest for a while and I knew there was a good chance I’d end up back here,” he said.

“The way the manager plays, it suits my style. It’s League One football so I can’t wait to get going.

“I didn’t play too many games during my first spell here but I grew as a person and started to understand more about the game.

“It was good for me off the pitch more than on it. It was a learning curve for me and hopefully this time it’ll be different.

“I’ve matured and learned a lot since I was last here. I’ve won a couple of promotions and I know about winning things now.

“I’ll work hard, try to get at players, try to create things and try to score goals.”

Meanwhile, Walsall have confirmed they are set to face Dutch giants Ajax in a pre-season friendly next month.

Dean Keates’ men will host the four-time European Cup winners at the Banks’s Stadium on July 19.

The clash, which will kick off at 7.45pm, will see the Saddlers take on an Ajax 11 with Erik ten Hag’s side also facing Wolves earlier in the day.

The games are part of a tour of England and Germany the Eredivisie side is taking part in as they ramp up their preparations for the new season.

They will stay in Birmingham during their time in the UK and are set to compete in the preliminary round of the Champions League a week after they face the Saddlers.