What Walsall hope to continue getting out of their Drogheda partnership

The Saddlers and League of Ireland side Drogheda both fall under the Trivela Group's multi-club ownership along with Trivela FC Togo and Danish outfit Silkeborg.

It is the two clubs in the British Isles who have worked most closely together, with Evan Weir moving to the Bescot in 2024 and Douglas James-Taylor going the other way on loan the same year.

Midfielder Jago Godden became the latest man to move between the teams last week when he signed for Walsall from non-league Bedford Town and immediately went on loan to Drogheda.

"We use similar tools," said Walsall head coach Mat Sadler. "What we want it to look like is how it has been over the years.

"Evan Weir being one example, Douglas James-Taylor going the other way being another.

"There have been other opportunities that haven't quite materialised, but we have the intention of materialising."

Weir has established himself as a key player on the left side of the Saddlers' defence in the wake of former captain Taylor Allen's departure last summer.

James-Taylor, meanwhile, went on to sign for Drogheda's League of Ireland rivals Bohemians at the end of his time with Walsall.

And Godden made an immediate impact on debut as he scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner for Drogheda at Galway United just days after making his loan switch from Walsall.

He will return to the West Midlands in a year's time, six months before his 18-month deal is due up - though there is the option for it to be extended by a year.

"We need to make sure at all times that we're trying to do things that benefit all clubs," continued Sadler. "We felt that benefit with Evan in the past and they felt that benefit with Dougie, and I expect to see more as the years go on.

"That has to be an important part of how we recruit because the Irish market is wonderful to scout from.

"And having a football club in the Irish market from Walsall's point of view is extremely beneficial."