Port Vale defender Mal Benning joins Shrewsbury Town

Port Vale have confirmed that wingback Mal Benning has departed the club and will join League One rivals Shrewsbury Town.

Director of Football David Flitcroft commented “Firstly, as a board we would like to thank Mal for the time he has spent at the club, his contribution to our promotion season was outstanding. Mal has been an consummate professional since the day he arrived and has been fantastic to have in and around Vale Park.

“Mal triggered an extension on his previous deal that would’ve seen him stay at Port Vale for an extra season.

“However, after numerous conversations, it became apparent that due to the the summer recruitment and the emergence of our younger players from the academy, Mal wouldn’t get the regular game time that he would hope for and that a move away from Vale Park would be in his best interest.”

Benning, who famously scored the club’s third goal in their 3-0 play-off final win over Mansfield Town at Wembley, was signed in the summer of 2021 and made eighty appearances for the club, scoring six times.

Benning and Lucas Covolan celebrate promotion at Wembley