SCOTT DANN today spoke of his delight at signing a new three-year deal here at the Banks's Stadium.

The 20 year-old defender put pen-to-paper on Wednesday and explained that it didn't take him long to take up The Saddlers' offer.

"I was delighted to sign the deal," he said. "I'm happy at Walsall and really enjoyed myself here last season.

"I sat down with the manager and he told me about where he wants to take the club and I want to be a part of that."

The signing of a new deal, which Richard Money described as one of the most important deals he will do all summer, signals a massive turn around for the likeable Liverpudlian.

Just a year ago, he was given a three-month contract to prove his worth - an opportunity he grasped with both hands.

After being used as an emergency striker in the early months of the campaign, Dann reverted to his more familiar position of centre-half and made the position his own with some outstanding performances.

"At one point I thought I'd never get the chance to show people what I was capable of and I thought I may have to move on to get first-team football," he admitted. "But thankfully my chance came and I'd like to think I repaid the faith shown in me.

"I've always had confidence in my ability, so without sounding arrogant I'm pleased with how last season went but I knew I was capable of playing in the first-team."

Dann is quick to praise Richard Money for giving him his first-team chance and explains that he is delighted that The Saddlers' boss has also pledged his long-term future to the club.

"Richard was the one who gave me my break and I'm thankful to him for that," he went on. "Like I said, I thought it may never come but fair play to Richard, he gave me the chance to show him what I could do.

"The fact that he has signed a three-year deal is good news for the football club because he is a good manager.

"I'm an ambitious player who wants to progress and I know that Richard is an ambitious manager. I'm looking forward to next season and it's a nice feeling to have my future sorted out.

"I don't want to look too far ahead though. I'm going to take each day as it comes and keep on pushing myself to improve and I think this is the place to do that."