Port Vale unveil trio to fire Vale Park revival

Port Vale have signed forwards Onel Hernandez, Mo Faal and Oliver Lynch as manager Jon Brady looks to rebuild after last season’s relegation. League standing: 22nd in League One, 42 pts, 10W-12D-24L from 46 games, recent form LWLLD.

Hernandez returns on a one-year deal after a short-term spell from February to May. The 33-year-old Cuban made 11 appearances in his first stint, played in the Premier League with Norwich City in 2019-20 and has also turned out for Middlesbrough, Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic. His experience adds creativity to a Vale attack that scored just 36 goals in 46 league games last term — the lowest tally in League One and second lowest across the EFL.

Faal rejoins Vale Park on loan from Wrexham after a half-season spell in Burslem last term. The 23-year-old scored three times in 23 games before joining Wrexham from West Bromwich Albion in August 2024. He spent time on loan at Doncaster Rovers and Walsall while at the Baggies and now arrives back at Vale Park with 16 appearances and three goals for the Red Dragons.

Lynch, 21, becomes Vale’s third new forward this summer after spells in non-league football. He bagged 11 goals in 18 games for Hemel Hempstead in National League South in the second half of 2024-25, then moved up a level to Tamworth last season and finished as the Lambs’ top scorer with 12 goals.

Why these signings matter for Port Vale

The trio add attacking firepower to a side that shipped 61 goals last season — the second-worst defensive record in the EFL. Hernandez brings Premier League pedigree and direct running, Faal offers a link-up option honed in League One last term, and Lynch provides a proven goal threat from non-league. Their combined arrival takes Vale’s summer signings to eight under Jon Brady.

Vale’s 2025-26 campaign opens with a 2027-01-09 trip to Rotherham, so the new forwards must quickly gel with teammates. The club’s 25-goal deficit from last season will need to shrink fast if Vale are to mount a promotion push from League Two.

What comes next for Port Vale

Brady’s squad now totals eight new faces, including defenders Jasper Moon and Kyle Dempsey, keepers Jackson Smith and Mason Terry, and midfielders Matthew Craig and Kyle Dempsey. The manager has until the transfer window closes to add further depth before the January trip to Rotherham.

Fans can follow every Vale update on BBC Sounds, where pre-match, post-match and topical content is available. The club’s rebuild starts now with three forwards ready to fire Vale Park back into contention.

League standing: 22nd in League One, 42 pts, 10W-12D-24L from 46 games, recent form LWLLD.