Mason Hancock was found in the Scottish second division, Courtney Clarke and Harrison Burke are the newest non-league scoops, but the most intriguing of all was Jake Hollman's arrival from Macarthur FC.
After more than a century of playing in the Australian top division, Hollman has flown 10,700 miles across the globe to start a new journey in the West Midlands.
The most important question was how Mat Sadler found the midfield player in the first place. Only time will tell if he has found a diamond.
Walsall manager Mat Sadler has shed light on how a data-driven approach was central to the club’s recent acquisition of Australian midfielder Jake Hollman. The 23-year-old, who made his name in the A-League with Macarthur FC, became Walsall’s first international signing under Sadler’s leadership—a landmark move that reflects the club’s growing ambition and modern recruitment strategy.
Speaking about the signing, Sadler explained that Hollman’s arrival was not a coincidence but the result of months of targeted scouting backed by performance data. “We’ve been working hard to find players who truly fit the way we want to play,” Sadler said. “Jake’s profile stood out because it aligned perfectly with the attributes we were looking for—high energy, creativity, and an eye for goal.”
Hollman enjoyed a standout season in the A-League, notching six goals and two assists, while also impressing in the Australia Cup. But it was more than just raw numbers that convinced Walsall to make their move. Through an analytical process, the club identified Hollman’s ability to make late runs into the box, his work rate off the ball, and his attacking intent as key assets for Sadler’s aggressive, front-foot system.
“This is the first time we’ve done a deal like this, going outside the UK and Ireland,” Sadler admitted. “It took longer than we anticipated, but we were confident in the data and the player’s character. He’s hungry, ambitious, and excited to be here.”
With Hollman now part of the squad, Walsall fans will be eager to see how the Australian adapts to League Two football. For Sadler, the signing represents more than just a transfer—it’s a sign that the Saddlers are embracing modern football strategies to build a team capable of challenging at the top end of the table.
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