Walsall have confirmed that both Liam Kinsella and Alfie Bates have signed new deals with the club. Both have committed to two-and-a-half-year contracts at the Banks’s Stadium.
Walsall Duo Liam Kinsella and Alfie Bates Sign New Deal
Liam Kinsella: A Mainstay in Darrell Clarke’s Side
The 24-year-old is a mainstay in the midfield under Darrell Clarke this season, making 19 appearances to help Walsall sit 10th in League Two.
Kinsella has established himself as a pivotal figure for the Saddlers. Having made his debut for the club in 2014, he has gone onto make 154 appearances in all competitions. This is despite their relegation at the end of the 2018/19 season.
Kinsella’s work ethic as a box-to-box and powerful midfielder has been recognised by his manager. Speaking about the new contract to the official Walsall website, Clarke said: “I’m delighted Liam has signed a new contract with the club.
“He’s a great professional with a great attitude and he epitomises what I want at the football club so I’m pleased to continue working with him.”
Kinsella added: “I have been here for a long time now and I am lucky enough to continue the journey with this great club.
“It was a very proud moment for me when I played my 150th game. I have signed a new deal now and hopefully, I can continue to rack up the appearances for the club and I’d now like to go on and make 200, maybe even 250 appearances for the club.”
Developing Youngster Set to Stay
Much like his team-mate, Alfie Bates also came through the Walsall academy, making his debut in the EFL Trophy in 2018.
However, Bates is not as regular as Kinsella in Clarke’s line-up. He has made 20 appearances so far this season, although only 14 of those have been starts.
Clarke, though, believes that he is still developing and is showing plenty of promise.
“We’re really pleased Alfie has signed a new contract with the club,” the Walsall boss said.
“He’s still a young player who’s developing well having come through the Academy and he’s a great lad to work with.”
Bates added: “Walsall is where I want to be and Walsall is where I want to play my football.
“It’s been an up and down season for us and the fans but I’m looking forward to going into the second half of the season strongly.
“My ambitions and the club’s ambitions are the same. We want to get promotion and get as many wins under our belt and keep pushing on and pushing the club forward.
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