New Walsall signing Lee Tomlin has spoken of his ambitions to "just enjoy football again" after recently revealing his focus to get his head in the right place.
The former Bristol City playmaker has joined The Saddlers after signing a short-term contract until the end of the season.
Tomlin had been without a club since October after having his contract with rivals Cardiff mutually terminated following a series of groin injuries and a fractious relationship with then-manager Mick McCarthy.
Tomlin, 33, joins the League Two side on a free transfer and becomes new Head Coach Michael Flynn's first signing since his appointment earlier this month.
Reported by Walsall's official site, he said: "I’m happy to be here. I had a phone call from the Head Coach when he got the job asking if I’d like to come in.
“I remember the first day I first came in I enjoyed training, I enjoyed being around the lads and that’s all I want to do – enjoy football again.
“I’ve had a few months out now, got myself fit again so hopefully I can kick on and do my best for Walsall.”
Tomlin candidly spoke about his mental health struggles in 2019 and recently shared his determination to get back to the "machine" he was at Cardiff by getting his career back on track.
On Instagram, he wrote: "In the past few months I've been waking up like it’s an accident. I’m back on this and getting to the place where I was two years ago.
"Life is full of ups and downs that’s part of life, but dealing with it is a different matter. We all deal with it in different ways, so I dealt with it by getting fit for the first time in my life properly and mentally I was a machine.
"But over the last two years I've gradually gone back to my old self and I don’t like it and only I can change that.
"So what I’m trying to say is do what YOU want to do in life that makes you happy and do what YOU want in life that you enjoy and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. Enjoy life we don’t have don’t have as much time as you think."
The player was initially training with non-League Wrexham and despite the eagerness to sign him permanently, the two parties failed to come to an agreement.
Tomlin and his family have recently welcomed a newborn and as he currently lives in Leicester, wanted to remain close to home when picking his next club.
He made 60 appearances for City in an 18-month spell at Ashton Gate and after initially impressing in his loan spell, failed to reach the same levels of performances after signing permanently. He was then sold to Cardiff in 2017.
Flynn was only appointed manager this month but wasted little time in his attempts to bring Tomlin to the club. Walsall are currently 17th following a largely disappointing campaign.
On his new signing, Flynn added: "Lee, first of all didn’t want to move away having had a new baby but he ticked a lot of boxes and once somebody with his quality becomes available and you manage to get him, you’re over the moon.
“Lee can unlock any defence in this league, he scores goals and he creates them too and so he will no doubt improve us from an attacking front.
“He’s been training with us recently and whilst we continue to work on his match fitness, he is eager, raring to go and ready top help the team."
On Tuesday, Tomlin revealed his eagerness to return to football by writing on Instagram: "Time to get back out there and enjoy playing again."
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