Paul Ritchie Signs for Walsall - Update

By Neil Ravenscroft
August 22 2003

Colin Lee's defender search was ended today with the signing of Scottish International defender Paul Ritchie. He has been signed in time to make the squad tomorrow.

The rumours that have been circulating for some weeks turned out to be true today as Paul Ritchie became Colin Lee's latest quality signing.

The 28 year old (his birthday was this week) is a left sided "footballing" central defender and full back and should add greatly to the squad.

He began his career at Hearts, where he won a Scottish Cup, and also won the first of his 9 Scottish caps while there.

He then went on a short term contract to Bolton, but, before signing a permanent deal, was "poached" by Rangers. He then attracted the attentions of Manchester City, who paid £500,000 for him at the start of 2000/2001.

He has never managed to establish himself at Maine Road and had loan spells last year at Portsmouth and Derby (funnily enough, playing against us for both).

The word is that he has signed initially on a two week loan, in order to make sure he is registered for the Stoke and Crewe games, before signing a year's contract next week.

This season's team building now looks almost complete, with a striker the only remaining position to fill.