Ex-Walsall loanee made available for transfer by parent club
Richards started just once for the Saddlers in League Two.
Port Vale have made former Walsall loanee Rico Richards available for transfer following their relegation from League One.
Richards joined the Saddlers on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day in September but ultimately struggled for minutes at Bescot - especially in the league.
The 22-year-old amassed just 259 minutes of action across his 10 appearances in League Two in 2025-26 - starting just once in a goalless draw against Crawley Town on January 27.
His only two goals for the club came in a 2-1 victory at League One outfit Stevenage in the EFL Trophy round of 32 in December.
The former West Brom and Aston Villa academy product started four of the Saddlers’ five games in the EFL Trophy.
In total, Richards made 16 appearances for Walsall, scoring twice and setting up two more.
He is among six loanees to leave Bescot at the end of the season - alongside Myles Roberts, Kacper Lopata, Jid Okeke, Aaron Loupalo-Bi and Daniel Kanu.
Richards is contracted with Port Vale until the summer of 2027, but the club have announced its decision to list him for transfer.
Ex-Walsall pair Liam Gordon and George Hall remain under contract with the Valiants next season.
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