Birchall: I’ve signed for Vale
Chris Birchall has joined Port Vale on a deal until the end of the season according to tweets from Vale co-owner Paul Wildes and Birchall himself.
It will be the midfielder’s second spell at Vale Park.
Birchall was initially linked with a move to Vale Park after he started training with the club towards the end of 2012, following his release from MLS side Columbus Crew.
Birchall’s tweet said: “yes I am home and have re-signed for Port Vale, excited for the future,glad to be @paulwildes 1st deal.”
Wildes’ tweet read: “Delighted to secure Chris Birchall until the end of the campaign – I know most Vale fans remember him fondly from his time here previously.”
Birchall will offer experience cover both on the flanks and in central midfield and it allows the midfielder to move back to hometown Stone.
Birchall, now 28 years of age, progressed through Vale’s junior ranks to make his first-team debut in September 2001. Birchall came on as a 79th minute substitute during a 2-0 League Cup defeat to Charlton Athletic.
He became a regular in 2004 and made 58 Vale starts plus 33 substitute appearances, scoring 11 goals.
Vale’s last signing from US football was Onandi Lowe, who joined on loan in 2001.
Birchall Factfile
The Trinidad and Tobago International is the club’s most capped International with 22 full caps and is the only person to appear at a World Cup finals whilst a Port Vale player.
After rising through the junior ranks at Vale, he made 91 appearances and scored nine goals, before a £325,000 move to Coventry City, then managed by current Vale boss Micky Adams.