Port Vale youth team graduate James Plant has departed to join League Two outfit Tranmere Rovers.
Rovers have former Valiants Nathan Smith and Jason Lowe in their squad and are managed by former Vale boss Andy Crosby.
Plant – still aged just 21 – was regarded as a top prospect for the future after breaking through to the first-team in 2022. He earned rave reviews for his full debut against Ipswich Town in 2023.
He signed a deal tying him to the club until 2027 so this transfer will presumably have earned Vale a fee.
However, Plant fell out of favour under manager Darren Moore and ended up going on loan to National League side Yeovil on three occasions. He returned to the Valiants during this transfer window.
His final Port Vale appearance was in the League Cup win at Blackpool and his final Vale tally stands at 49 appearances and two goals.
Port Vale January Transfer Business
Outs
- Mo Faal’s Port Vale loan spell ends
- Port Vale confirm that Marvin Johnson has left the club
- Ronan Curtis departs Port Vale to join Plymouth Argyle
- James Plant is latest player to depart Port Vale
- Jesse Debrah departs Port Vale on loan
- Devante Cole is the latest player to depart Port Vale
- Port Vale confirm Mitch Clark loan departure
- Ruari Paton departs Port Vale on loan
Ins
- Transfer news: Port Vale sign Luton Town winger on loan
- James Plant returns to Port Vale after loan spell
- Port Vale recall youngster Jack Shorrock from loan spell
- Port Vale sign former Blackburn Rovers and Northampton Town defender
- Port Vale sign young Everton defender on loan
- Port Vale sign Dutch striker on loan
- Port Vale sign experienced striker Andre Gray
- Port Vale add experienced free agent midfielder to their squad
- Port Vale add Cuba International winger to squad
Just shows there is no,ambition left in the club
We seem to be preparing for league 2 mid table
This is deeply worrying, a player that has so much potential and would have been an asset in L2 and cost us nothing
Plant is exactly the type of player you would expect to be part of Vale’s future. It’s likely a transfer fee has enticed the decision to release, because Plant hasn’t had game time under Brady for the new manager to make an informed opinion. It either that, or the club needed the sale to help pay for Darren Moore’s pay out.
I agree with a lot that has been said but if you where James Plant would you stay at the Vale or go somewhere that would play you in there first team, Good luck to you James you will make it in the football world. I think Vale are making a big Mistake.