Darren Byfield has returned to his native West Midlands for a second stint with Walsall.
Much-travelled striker back at the Bescot
Darren Byfield has returned to his native West Midlands for a second stint with Walsall.
The 32-year-old joined the Saddlers for the first time nine years ago after failing to establish himself in the Aston Villa first team.
But the much-travelled striker is back at the Bescot Stadium on a short-term contract until the end of January.
In his first spell with the club, Byfield scored 17 goals in 92 appearances, including the winner in the 2001 League One play-off final against Reading.
Smiling
"I can't stop smiling," he said. "I'm really glad to be back and I always knew that, one day, I'd return here.
"I just need to get games under my belt and then the Walsall fans will see the best of me."
Byfield spent almost two seasons with Walsall before being snapped up by Rotherham for £50,000 in March 2002.
Spells with Sunderland, Gillingham, Millwall, Bristol City and Doncaster followed, with Byfield racking up a career total of 93 goals in 400 appearances.
Proven track record
He signed a short-term deal with Oldham this summer after spending the end of last season on loan at Boundary Park.
But the Latics chose to release Byfield earlier this week after the loan signing of Nick Blackman from Blackburn, opening the door for him to return to League One rivals Walsall.
"He is a player that our supporters know all about and has a proven track record," said Saddlers boss Chris Hutchings.
"He has scored goals wherever he has been and that is what we have brought him in to do here."
