Sam Hornby leaves Walsall to rejoin non-league Hednesford Town on free transfer | OneFootball

Walsall have confirmed goalkeeper Sam Hornby has left to join non-league neighbours Hednesford Town on a free transfer. According to ExpressAndStar.com, the 31-year-old ends his spell after limited league action.

Hornby returns to Key Park, having played for Hednesford early in his career, following their promotion to the National League North. He had 12 months remaining on the two-year deal he signed last year.

He made 22 appearances for Walsall in all competitions, including 10 in League Two. During his debut season he featured six times in the league, with Stoke loanee Tommy Simkin preferred by former head coach Mat Sadler.

Myles Roberts then took the No 1 shirt after arriving on loan from Watford, and Hornby played only four League Two matches last term. After a successful trial in 2024, he had earlier started every game of a run to the last 16 of the EFL Trophy.

He saved two penalties in a group stage shoot-out at Birmingham City, then three more in the last 32 against Reading. Walsall reached the last 16 again with him in goal last term, but league minutes stayed scarce.

His exit takes the number of departures since the end of the previous campaign to 14, after Connor Barrett completed a move to League One side Wigan Athletic last week. Academy graduate Jenson Kilroy is the only goalkeeper contracted for next season, with a new signing likely to be high on the agenda this summer. Kilroy’s option year was exercised last month after he signed his first professional deal in the summer of 2025.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com