Recently released Dale defender Dean Holden has signed a twelve month contract with League One side Walsall.

The defender was named on the released list at the end of the 2011-12 season, but earned many a plaudit along the way for his efforts during the relegation campaign. He originally came to the club on loan in a swap deal that took Neal Trotman to Chesterfield in exchange and both players did enough to ensure that the deal was made permanent at the first opportunity.

Holden is the eighth player from last season to find himself a new club (not including loanees), after Marcus Holness joined Burton, Jean Louis Akpa Akpro joined Tranmere, Gary Jones joined Bradford, Nicky Adams joined Crawley, Joe Widdowson joined Northampton Town, Kevin Amankwaah joined Exeter and David Lucas joined Birmingham City.

Photo: Action Images

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