Walsall sign striker Cleary from West Brom on loan

Image source, Walsall FC

Image caption, Reyes Cleary played for Albion in last week's League Cup defeat at Fleetwood

Walsall have signed West Bromwich Albion forward Reyes Cleary on loan for the rest of the season.

The 20-year-old is the eighth summer signing by the Saddlers, who have won both League Two games so far, beating Morecambe and Swindon without conceding a goal.

Cleary, who has made seven senior appearances for the Baggies, signed a new one-year contract last month, with an option for a further 12 months.

"He鈥檚 a very good finisher, very direct," said Walsall head coach Mat Sadler.

"He wants to get at people and gives us a different attacking outlet which is what I talk about all the time, having different weapons in the game to be able to beat teams in different ways and he does that."

Cleary scored 19 goals for the Baggies Under-21s during the 2022-23 season.

"It鈥檚 good to play Premier League 2," he said. "But I need to start doing it against men in the real life of football because that鈥檚 the only way I鈥檓 going to get better."

Walsall are next in action on Saturday with an away game against Tranmere Rovers.