Walsall have confirmed the signing of former Crewe Alexandra defender James Connolly, who arrives at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on a two-year deal.The 24-year-old recently rejected fresh terms at the Mornflake Stadium, opting instead to make the move down the M6 to Walsall ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Born in Liverpool, he is a strong and dependable centre-back who has been praised for his composure on the ball and ability to adapt to the physical demands of today’s game.
He began his career in Lancashire with Blackburn Rovers, signing a scholarship in June 2018 and progressing through the youth ranks before joining Cardiff City in 2021.
The defender went out on loan to Bristol Rovers in January 2022 for his first taste of EFL football and enjoyed a successful spell with the Gas, making his senior debut a day after signing in an FA Cup third round defeat to Peterborough United, scoring his first senior goal in the league against Port Vale and featuring in 24 league matches in what proved to be a memorable first season in professional football.
Connolly would then return to the Memorial Stadium on a permanent basis, signing a three-year contract in June 2022, going on to make a further 36 appearances for the Gas during 2022/23, adding two more goals to his tally in both League One and the EFL Trophy against Burton Albion and Colchester United, respectively.
A loan spell at Morecambe would then follow in August 2023, where the defender made 17 appearances in all competitions before being recalled by his parent club in January.
The defender made the switch to Crewe Alexandra in August 2024 and made 71 appearances across two seasons with the Railwaymen, 45 of those coming last year as he became a mainstay in the team with three goals to his name.
Head Coach Lee Grant is pleased to bolster his defensive options and is looking forward to working with him. He said: "I’m pleased to welcome James to the club.
"He’s a defender who does the simple work well, leads by example, and he’s comfortable on the ball no matter the situation.
"He’s had a promotion from this league before in recent years, and I’m sure it’s something he would love to do again with us, so we’re really excited to see how he integrates and develops under our guidance.
"James is eager to get started, and I have no doubt the supporters will take to him well every time he pulls on the shirt to represent our badge."