Walsall have confirmed the signing of former NK Maribor defender James Furlong, who becomes the Saddlers' fourteenth signing of the summer.The 24-year-old, who has represented the Republic of Ireland at U16, U17, U18 and U21s level, joins the Saddlers on a one-year contract deal following his departure from the Slovenian PvraLiga side.
Born in Dublin, James operates as a full-back who is keen to contribute both offensively and defensively. He began his footballing career at a young age with St. Joseph’s Boys, based in Dublin, before joining Bray Wanderers and then Shamrock Rovers in 2017.
He made his senior debut in April 2019 against Dundalk and after two years of service he departed and headed to the UK to join Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion, linking up with their Academy side.
James featured frequently for the Seagulls in the U18 Premier League, as well as making appearances in the 2020/21 EFL Trophy group stage, before signing a one-year contract extension in May 2022 and making his first team debut in August, appearing as a substitute for the Seagulls in their Carabao Cup second round triumph away at Forest Green Rovers.
Furlong would then head to Scotland on deadline day in January 2023 as he joined Motherwell on loan for the remainder of the season, making 16 appearances in all competitions before returning to East Sussex and joining Hull City for an undisclosed fee in September of that year.
Another loan spell arrived almost immediately for the full-back as he joined AFC Wimbledon and endured a successful season at the Cherry Red Records Stadium - making 30 appearances in all competitions as they secured promotion to Sky Bet League One via the play-offs.
Furlong would leave the Tigers in February this year and moved to Slovenia to sign for NK Maribor on a short-term deal before departing in the summer.
Speaking via the club's official website, Head Coach Lee Grant sought to welcome James to the club, he said: "I’m pleased to add James to our ranks.
"He’s someone who has had a lot of exposure to football early on in his career and knows what it takes to be successful having gained a promotion from this league in the past.
"He’s athletic, comfortable under pressure and eager to develop, something I’ve seen first-hand in his first training sessions with us.
"I’m looking forward to working with James and have every confidence he will be a success for the club."