Walsall: Craig Westcarr completes permanent Saddlers move

Walsall have completed the permanent signing of Craig Westcarr following a loan spell earlier this season.

The 27-year-old forward was released by Chesterfield on 9 January on his return from a six-week loan spell at the Banks's Stadium.

He played eight times for the Saddlers during his loan spell, and has now signed a deal with the club until the end of the season.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge," Westcarr told the club's website.

"Since the very first day I arrived here, this club has always been a perfect fit for me and I believe that I can really progress here.

"The team that we have can really go places - there is a good mix of young, hungry lads and experience and we looked really solid as a unit during my loan spell. To be part of that again is great for me."

Former England Under-21 international Westcarr became Nottingham Forest's youngest ever player when he made his debut at 16.

After leaving Forest for Cambridge in 2005, he went on to play for Kettering and Notts County before joining Chesterfield in 2011.

He scored 10 goals in 53 league appearances for the Spireites before his loan move to Walsall in November.

Meanwhile, Walsall's youth team captain Matt Preston has signed an 18-month professional deal at the club, with the option to extend it.