Walsall seal loan deal for Aston Villa's Corey Blackett-Taylor
Walsall FC have completed the loan signing of Aston Villa winger Corey Blackett-Taylor for the rest of the season, subject to the necessary clearance.
The talented 21-year-old becomes Dean Keates' seventh signing of the January transfer window, and second in as many days following the arrival of Aranide Oteh from QPR.
“I’m delighted to get the move done and I can’t wait to get going and gain some first team experience with Walsall," said Blackett-Taylor.
“I’ve been playing at the Banks’s on and off now for around three years with the development side at Villa so I feel like I am used to the stadium which I think will help me settle in well.
“I think Walsall is the perfect club for me to develop at and have my first loan spell away from Villa with.
“It’s my first loan move away from Villa and I think it will definitely help my progression being in and around a professional environment.
“It’s going to help me knowing that points mean something, you’ve got to fight for them because there is stuff on the line.
“I’m hoping that this loan move and getting into a routine will put me in good stead for the future.”
Manager Dean Keates said: “Corey is an exciting young talent.
“We’ve had the opportunity to watch him a number of times due to our excellent relationship with Villa who play their Under 23s games here at the Banks’s Stadium.
“Corey is the brother of Daryl Taylor, who I am sure our fans will remember fondly having coming up through the ranks to play a number of first team games for us.
“I’m also grateful to Dean Smith and Richard O’Kelly for allowing Corey to continue his development with us.
“He’s another one who will give me plenty of food for thought in terms of team selection and further strengthens our squad.”
The Erdington-born youngster has represented England at Under-17s level and has made two first team appearances for Villa, with his first coming against Huddersfield Town in March 2017 and his most recent one against Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup in September 2017.
Predominantly a winger, Blackett-Taylor can play on either flank but has also been known to play in the number 10 role during his 11-year spell with Villa, the club he signed for as a nine-year-old.
