Walsall Football Club have today announced that left-back Andy Taylor has agreed terms on an new two-year contract at the Banks's Stadium club.The 28-year-old defender began his career with hometown club Blackburn Rovers, coming through the ranks of the Lancashire side.
During his time at Ewood Park he had loan spells at Queens Park Rangers, Blackpool, Crewe Alexandra, Huddersfield Town and Tranmere Rovers, he failed to make a single first-team appearance for Blackburn.
During his loan spell with Tranmere, Rovers elected to make his loan move permanent, signing him on a two and a half-year contract for an undisclosed fee in January 2008. Taylor made 30 league appearances in total for Tranmere during the 2007/08 season, scoring a single goal, a half volley against Crewe on New Year's Day 2008. His only goal of the 2008/09 season came at home to Colchester, he curled in a long range free kick.
Taylor was transferred to Sheffield United in July 2009 for an undisclosed fee. He made his full debut for The Blades came in the opening game of the season in August 2009; a 0–0 draw with Middlesbrough. After an initial run of games Taylor sustained an injury on Boxing Day 2010 which eventually kept him sidelined for fourteen months. On his return to fitness, he was unable to break back into the side and made only four more appearances for United in during the 2011/12 season and after three injury hit seasons including almost 40 appearances he was subsequently released by The Blades in May 2012.
Following a brief Walsall trial Andy penned a one-year deal at the Banks's Stadium at the beginning of the 2012/13 season and went on to sign an 18-month extension the following January.
Andy was seen as a major part of manager Dean Smith's future plans, and today's news will serve as a major boost to the side as they continue to build toward the 2014/15 Sky Bet League One season.