The 23-year-old becomes manager Darrell Clarke’s third summer recruit, following the arrivals of former Bristol Rovers duo Stuart Sinclair and James Clarke.
On Manchester City’s books as a youngster, Hardy joined the Coasters in October 2015 and was named their 2016/17 Young Player of the Year.
The former England C international scored 16 goals in 44 league appearances for Fylde and helped them reach the National League play-off final last term.
Saddlers manager Darrell Clarke spoke to club journalists and welcomed James to the club, he said; "James is a match-winner and will give us something different at the top end of the pitch. He brings people into the game and has that natural technical ability to beat players at will.
"I’ve done very well with players like James, who has a Man City background. He then went on and played lots of games in non-league and did ever so well at AFC Fylde. He had big offers in the National League and it says a lot about the lad that he was desperate to play in league football and kick on his career.
"He’s got all the attributes to be a very talented player and it’s up to me and my coaching staff to get the best out of him."
Hardy will officially join the Saddlers on Monday, 1st July when his contract expires at AFC Fylde.
The former England C international scored 16 goals in 44 league appearances for Fylde and helped them reach the National League play-off final last term.
Saddlers manager Darrell Clarke spoke to club journalists and welcomed James to the club, he said; "James is a match-winner and will give us something different at the top end of the pitch. He brings people into the game and has that natural technical ability to beat players at will.
"I’ve done very well with players like James, who has a Man City background. He then went on and played lots of games in non-league and did ever so well at AFC Fylde. He had big offers in the National League and it says a lot about the lad that he was desperate to play in league football and kick on his career.
"He’s got all the attributes to be a very talented player and it’s up to me and my coaching staff to get the best out of him."
Hardy will officially join the Saddlers on Monday, 1st July when his contract expires at AFC Fylde.