MK Dons have signed Walsall defender Zak Jules for an undisclosed transfer fee.
Jules, 23, arrives at Stadium MK on Deadline Day to bolsters Russell Martin’s squad.
The towering left-footed defender, who can play central or at full-back, has made 66 professional league appearances for the likes of Motherwell, Port Vale, Shrewsbury Town, and, most recently, the Saddlers. He has also represented Scotland at youth level.
“I’m buzzing and glad to get it over the line,” Jules told iFollow MK Dons. “It’s been a hectic day but I’m happy to finally be an MK Dons player.
“As soon as I heard about it, it was a no brainer for me. This is a great opportunity for me at a great Football Club and, of course, in a team that plays the way that way we do.
“I’m quick, athletic and strong but I’m good with the ball too and comfortable playing out from the back, which you need when playing in a Russell Martin team – that’s why it’s the perfect fit for me.”
Born in Islington, Jules came through the Academy at Reading and enjoyed loan spells in non-league before making his first professional appearance on loan at Motherwell in January 2017.
He signed for Shrewsbury Town the following summer but a serious injury kept him sidelined. In his recovery, he spent time on loan with Chesterfield, Port Vale and Barnet before leaving by mutual consent in January 2019.
A short-term move to Macclesfield Town followed for Jules, who played a key role during the second half of the season as the Silkmen avoided relegation from Sky Bet League Two.
He was snapped up by Walsall in July 2019 and has spent the past 18 months at the Banks’s Stadium, totalling 42 appearances.
Manger Russell Martin told mkdons.com: “We’re very excited to have Zak on board. He fits the profile of the player we want to bring to the Football Club and is certainly going to add our squad, both in the short term and the long term.
“He has had a lot of clubs interested in him and we’ve beaten a lot of clubs to his signature. He was desperate to come here, with the style of football that we play, and improve himself as a footballer, and help take us to where we want to get to.”
