Tai Sodje ‘Over the Moon’ After Joining Walsall

New Walsall signing Tai Sodje says he is ‘over the moon’ to join the club and is determined to help the Saddlers secure promotion in the coming season.

The 22-year-old forward has joined Walsall from National League North side Buxton on a two-year contract, subject to clearance from the English Football League (EFL) and the Football Association (FA).

Sodje, who spent a decade in the Manchester City academy before joining Buxton last summer, said he was convinced the move was the right step for his development.

‘I’m over the moon, to be honest,’ Sodje said.

‘It’s a massive club and one that aspires to be higher in the footballing pyramid, so I’m absolutely buzzing to be here.

‘I had some really good conversations with the club and the gaffer in particular. He’s got a lot of experience in the game from a playing and coaching perspective, and I think for the club’s development and my own development, it’s the perfect move and fit for me with the way he sees football and wants to play.’

Sodje described himself as a high-energy forward who enjoys pressing defenders and making runs behind the opposition defence, while identifying goalscoring as the most important part of his game.

‘I’m a high-energy kind of player. I like to put myself about, press defenders from the front and run in behind, but most importantly, my favourite thing to do is scoring goals,’ he added.

‘When I’m doing that, I’m a happier person, I play better and it’s something within my game that I take great pride in.’

The forward has already set his sights on helping Walsall achieve promotion and is eager to make his debut in front of the club’s supporters.

‘I can’t wait for the season to get started. I want to help the team get promoted out of the league, score as many goals as possible and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and playing in front of the amazing supporters that I’ve heard about here,’ Sodje said.