Midfielder Rory Holden expects to hit the ground running after rejoining Walsall on a permanent deal.

The 22-year-old spent last season on loan with the Saddlers from Sky Bet Championship side Bristol City, scoring twice in 36 appearances.

“I’m buzzing to be back. After last season, I wanted to come back and I had been speaking to the gaffer over the off season and I’m happy to get it done now and I can’t wait to kick on,” he told saddlers.co.uk.

“Last season, it took a little bit of time for me to settle in but this year there won’t be that because I have made relationships with the staff and the lads who are here, so hopefully I can just hit the ground running and try and contribute as much as I can to the team.”

Saddlers boss Darrell Clarke is looking forward to working with the Northern Irishman again.

“He was somebody who we were really keen to work with again and I’m really pleased to see him back at the club permanently this time,” he said.

“Rory has an exceptional work ethic, he knows the squad and what we’re about as a team and I’m really expecting him to push on again this season for us.”