Brady quietly happy with Vale's transfer business

Jon Brady is trying to steer Port Vale back to League One at the first attempt in 2026-27 [Getty Images] Port Vale manager Jon Brady says he is "quietly happy" over the club's transfer business so far as they prepare for a return to League Two. Vale have signed three players - defender Jasper Moon, goalkeeper Jackson Smith and midfielder Matthew Craig - as Brady reshapes his squad following last season's relegation from League One. The club began the summer with 19 players under contract after seven were released at the end of last term and have sold Jordan Shipley to Cheltenham Town. Captain Ben Garrity has agreed a new contract through until 2028. As for the new recruits, Brady told BBC Radio Stoke he was pleased to see some new faces. "I'm quietly happy. Obviously we believe in them, we believe what they can do, but always proof's in the pudding when they get out there," he said. "To have Jackson Smith, probably last year one of the better goalkeepers in League Two, if not the best, he'll help us build a bit more. "Jasper Moon will be strong and solid and has played at League One level. "And Matthew, I feel that big competition for him against George Byers - or they can play together and help build. He's been in the play-offs before with Doncaster. "So overall, I feel that's a good mix, but it's about the top line in how we build that right now." Vale sign Tottenham midfielder Craig until 2029 Port Vale sign goalkeeper Smith from Barnsley Port Vale sign ex-Burton defender Moon Fixtures release make season feel 'real' A big issue for Vale last season was scoring goals. They scored 36 times in 46 league games - the lowest in League One and second lowest in the EFL. Brady said solving that problem is far from straightforward. "Let's set expectations. You're not just going to go in the market and just get a 20-goal striker. "There's hardly anyone out there that's like that and if they are, they're super expensive. So we're not in the market for anyone like that. "What we have to do is find people that we believe are good enough, or strikers or players in the front line that are creative, and we can help them become better goalscorers. "I've had players that I've seen at times at previous clubs with me that they've scored minimal goals and they've got 20-plus goals and they've been wide forwards in the past. So I believe in my ability to find talent and help that talent improve." Brady, preparing for his first full season in charge having replaced Darren Moore at the start of 2026, also gave his reaction to Vale's start to 2026-27 after the fixtures were released on Thursday. Vale have an opening-day trip to Oldham before their first home games against Tranmere and Crewe, in a local derby. "It makes it real for the season, so we're all excited," he said. "You've got to play everyone twice, but it looks like a strong start on paper. You look at the teams that we've got, very local to start with and then probably the first 10 or 12 looks like teams that everyone else perceives that should be there or thereabouts." Listen to Port Vale content on BBC Sounds