Walsall have signed Stephen Hughes ahead of the new League One season after the experienced midfielder was released by Coventry City.The 31-year-old former Arsenal trainee left the Ricoh Arena at the end of last season after four years with the Sky Blues.

He captained Walsall during the 2-1 pre-season friendly win against Port Vale at the weekend and has now agreed terms with the League One club.

"As soon as I found out that Stephen was available as a free agent I was after him," Walsall boss Jimmy Mullen told the Saddlers' official website. "He is a player in the prime of his career who has played at the highest level and he is captain material.

"He will bring plenty of quality and know-how to the team. We have a lot of young players here and they can only learn from him.

"We have worked hard to beat off competition from other clubs to get him here. He is a player that I am looking forward to working with."

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