Port Vale have announced the signing of Crystal Palace youngster Jemiah Umolu as well as the news that former youth teamer Rhys Walters has agreed a professional contract.
Umolu joins on loan
Port Vale have announced the signing of Jemiah Umolu on loan – a move which found its way into the press yesterday. 19 year-old Umolu is the joint-top scorer in Premier League 2 with ten goals this season and joins the Valiants until the end of the season. His arrival follows the departure of fellow loanee Benicio.
Manager Darren Moore commented: “He’s an exciting young player with a natural ability for scoring goals, and someone we’ve been really impressed by this season, so we’re delighted to have him on board.”
Walters agrees deal
Meanwhile, the club has announced an end to the long-running Rhys Walters contract issue. There have been protracted contract negotiations between the player’s agent and the club which were only exacerbated by an injury sustained by the player that resulted in months of rehabilitation. However, the 19 year-old, who has 22 senior appearances has now agreed a three and a half year deal.
Manager Darren Moore commented: “He will provide another option in the centre of the park for us and will be surrounded by professionals with hundreds of appearances that will help him with his further development. We’re now looking forward to see Rhys work hard on the training ground to push for first team football.”
Cannot understand giving a want-away player a three and a half year contract who has failed to get a contract elsewhere in the past 6 months
Resigning young Walters is good news. He put in decent performances at League 1 level last season, and with fitness and full time training should be a very useful addition to the squad. Quality potential through the ranks with Walters and Shorrock, and Plant back to join the effort.
It’s a strange one with Walters, the fact that no one else has seemed interested in signing the lad, why we feel it necessary to give him a 31/2 years is beyond me. While the lad did show promise so did a number of others who have fell by the wayside, or been sent out on loan to bring in more experienced players. We are toting up a large number of players on long contracts who we may get lumbered with. As for Umolu, will he become another loanee taking up much needed valuable minutes both Paton and Tolaj need to improve. Time will tell. I was very critical of Moore for turning out weakened teams in the two major cup competitions. Not only does it belittle the competitions it’s also a kick in the teeth to the many Vale fans who look upon these games as a welcome distraction from the mundane league season and a chance to play one of the big boys, and when one sees the draw several of the league two clubs have had a very expensive mistake.