Walsall have confirmed the signing of Port Vale attacker Rico Richards, who has made the move to the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on a season-long loan.The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Vale Park where he featured 32 times in all competitions and netted four goals, helping the Valiants clinch promotion before making the move permanent earlier this summer.
Richards began his career at West Bromwich Albion. He made his senior debut for the Baggies in August 2021, stepping off the bench in a Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal. His league debut came in March 2023, again off the bench against Hull City.
In the summer of 2023, he left the Hawthorns to join Aston Villa, linking up with their under 21s side. Richards played in all three Vertu Trophy matches, with his standout performance in that competition coming against Crawley Town which saw him register a goal and an assist.
Richards went out on loan in January 2024 to gain more experience and headed to Stockport and scored once in 11 outings as he helped the Hatters to the Sky Bet League Two title.
He followed that up with another promotion from the division with Vale, and he is now excited for his new challenge with the Saddlers.
Speaking via the club's official website, Head Coach Mat Sadler admitted he is thrilled to add Rico to his squad, he said: "Rico is a creative player.
"He’s had two very successful seasons in the last two years, gaining promotion out of the division and he’s a player who I’ve liked from his West Brom days and his Aston Villa days.
"He knows all about the club, he only lives down the road in Great Barr so is very local to us. Rico is very athletic, good left foot, has good quality in the penalty area, and he likes to create with his ability to dribble and drive past a player."