Walsall sign Ellis Harrison on loan from MK Dons

The Saddlers beat off competitions from clubs in both League One and League Two to secure his signature late in the window. 

He becomes the seventh signing of the winter window and the third deadline day arrival following the loan signings of midfield pair Alfie Chang and Darius Lipsiuc from Birmingham City and Stoke City respectively. 

The 31-year-old, who has played over 400 games during his career, has found the net four times in 24 appearances for Dons this term.  

Harrison joins Manchester United loanee Ethan Wheatley and Levi Amantchi, signed from Bromley last week, in bolstering the Saddlers' attacking ranks in the wake of Nathan Lowe's recall by Stoke earlier this month. 

Lowe scored 18 goals and set-up seven more in 30 matches across all competitions during his loan stint in the first half of the campaign.

31-year-old Harrison arrived at the Stadium MK in the summer of 2023 and has netted 12 times in 59 outings for the Buckinghamshire club. 

He previously had spells at Portsmouth, Fleetwood Town, Ipswich Town and Hartlepool United, as well as Walsall's local rivals Port Vale. 

Harrison started his career at Bristol Rovers, scoring 49 times, and winning two promotions, including a Conference Premier play-off victory under former Walsall boss Darrell Clarke.

“It’s a great club who are doing really well this season and I’m keen to come in, work hard and contribute as much as I can.“I’m excited and can’t wait to get started," Harrison said.

Boss Mat Sadler added: “I’m delighted that we have been able to add Ellis to the group,” he said.“He is one we have been working away on for a good period of time now and one we have had to be patient with but I am really pleased that we have managed to finally get him over the line.

“He’s something a little bit different to what we have in the group at the moment and he comes with a wealth of experience which is going to be vital for us in the second half of the season.

“Ellis is a fantastic athlete, he’s got a real hunger to score goals, as he has done throughout his career, and he has a real pedigree in the Football League having played the majority of his career in League One.”