Walsall release 12 players as summer rebuild looms | OneFootball

Walsall have confirmed 12 players will leave at the end of 2025-26, announcing their released list on Wednesday and signalling a summer rebuild.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, the club are yet to appoint a permanent replacement for Mat Sadler, who left in March after two wins in 14. Interim Darren Byfield lost four of the last five, and Walsall slipped to 13th after leading on Boxing Day.

The departures are Aden Flint, Brandon Comley, Jamille Matt, Charlie Lakin, Jamie Jellis and Evan Weir. Also leaving are Alfie Chang, Josh Gordon, Priestley Farquharson, Charlie Wragg, Dylan Thomas and Jake Hollman, the latter by mutual consent.

Flint played 48 times this season, scoring twice and assisting once. Comley departs after 151 appearances, with two goals and two assists. Matt has 23 goals in 140 appearances, and his last start came on 31 January.

Lakin contributed five goals and five assists in 97 games across two seasons. Jellis scored seven in 2024-25 and recently reached 100 appearances. Weir managed 22 outings with Taylor Allen ahead of him at left wing-back.

Injuries restricted Chang to six appearances on his January return. Gordon had two long-term hamstring setbacks, then scored nine on loan at Barrow. Farquharson finished with five goals in 35 games this season.

Wragg debuted in a 1-0 EFL Trophy win over Fulham under-21s in September 2024. Thomas first featured aged 16 against Brighton under-21s in August 2023, made four senior appearances, and signed his first professional deal in May 2024.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com