Arsenal's Krystian Bielik moves to Walsall on loan

Arsenal have sent out young defender Krystian Bielik on loan to League One side Walsall in a deal running until the end of the season.

✍️ Walsall Football Club are delighted to confirm we have signed @Arsenal defender Krystian Bielik on loan for the rest of the season.#BielikSigns

➡️ https://t.co/KbegYjps07 pic.twitter.com/S4lgiPNS0e

— Walsall FC Official (@WFCOfficial) January 31, 2018

The 20-year-old previously spent time on loan in the Midlands with Championship side Birmingham City last term, making 10 appearances as the side ultimately avoided the drop into the third tier on the final day of the season.

Bielik joined the Gunners from Legia Warsaw in 2015 and has made two senior appearances for Arsene Wenger's side to date - both in the League Cup.

Saddlers manager Jon Whitney said: "Krystian is a very technical, ball-playing centre-half and he's had a good loan spell with Birmingham last season, so he's got a Midlands connection. He was really good for them but he's had a shoulder injury in the last few months.

"I've been chasing him for about two or three weeks now, and we've persuaded him to come here ahead of other League One clubs and some abroad, too.

"We'd like to thank Arsenal and Arsene Wenger for allowing him to come to us."

Bielik joins Walsall with the club 18th in the League One table, just three points above the relegation zone.