Saddlers welcome Reich

German winger joins League One outfit

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 1st August 2008  

Saddlers welcome Reich

Reich: Has previous experience in England

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Walsall have completed the signing of former Germany international Marco Reich.

The winger, who earned a solitary international cap against Colombia in 1999, will go straight into the Saddlers squad for their pre-season friendly against Port Vale on Saturday.

Jimmy Mullen is delighted to have brought a player of such calibre to The Banks's Stadium and is looking forward to working with the 30-year-old.

"Marco is a vastly experienced player," he told the club's official website.

"He can play on either flank or in the centre of midfield, so he gives us plenty of options. He'll also give us a bit extra going forward as he's an attack-minded player.

"We had him here for a week at the start of pre-season where he showed us what a good footballer he is.

"The experience that he has from playing in the top flight in Germany, and from his time at both Derby and Crystal Palace, will stand us in good stead and can only help those youngsters around him."

Career

Reich picked up a Bundesliga winners' medal in 1998 during his time in his homeland with Kaiserslautern.

He went on to take in spells at Cologne and Werder Bremen before signing for Derby in 2004.

In September 2005 he moved on to Crystal Palace, but lasted less than two years at Selhurst Park before he headed back to Germany with Kickers Offenbach.

Following their relegation to the third division at the end of last season Reich was one of a number of players released by the club.