Walsall Football Club have today completed the signing of former Hereford United, Reading and Antwerp striker Mathieu Manset on a one-year contract, subject to international clearance.25-year-old Manset initially joined the Saddlers on trial during pre-season and made a goal-scoring debut against Leicester City at Banks's Stadium, a performance which earned him much praise from both press and supporters.
However, following a breakdown in contract negotiations, Mathieu opted to return home, and took part in a pre-season friendly between Turkish side Kayseri Erciyesspor and Hungarian outfit FC Sopron, where he scored both goals in a 2-0 victory.
Walsall manager Dean Smith had indicated that negotiations were at an end after the club had heard nothing from either Mathieu or his agent for several weeks, however following Tuesday evening's Capital One Cup defeat to Crystal Palace, Smith revealed he had in fact kept in-touch with Mathieu's representatives, with a view to securing a deal.
Mathieu has penned a one-year contract with an option of a further year, which is in the club's favour.
Metz born Manset began his career as an apprentice with Le Havre AC and managed to break into the reserve side during the 2007/08 campaign. He went on to make eleven league appearances, scoring one goal for the side.
In the following season, Mathieu played a further 12 games for Le Havre Réserve but failed get on the scoresheet, his last appearance came in the 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain Réserve in May 2009.
Mathieu was released by Le Havre in the summer of 2009 and, following a brief trial spell, joined English side Hereford United on a free transfer.
His debut in English football came in the second round of the Football League Trophy where he featured as a substitute in the last 20 minutes of the game at home to Aldershot Town, where he scored a late goal.
His first league goal came in the 3-1 away win at Northampton Town on 1st December 2009. In late 2010 Mathieu enjoyed a run of goalscoring form under new manager Jamie Pitman, and was linked with a number of clubs from the Championship.
In late January 2011, after much speculation, Mathieu signed for then Championship team Reading for an undisclosed fee, signing a a two-and-a-half-year contract in the process.
He made his debut for Reading on 22nd January 2011, coming on as a substitute just 21 hours after signing for the club, he scored his first goal for Reading after again coming on as a substitute, scoring what had looked to be an injury-time winner in the 2–2 draw at Cardiff City. He made his first start against Nottingham Forest on 9th February during a 4-3 win.
Mathieu made just six starts the following season, scoring two goals and subsequently signed for Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua on loan until 30th June.
He scored his first goal for Shenhua on 27th May 2012 during Shenhua's 2-1 victory at home against Guizhou Renhe.
In July 2012, Mathieu moved from Reading to Sion on a 3-year contract for an undisclosed fee, he made his debut for Sion coming on as a second half substitute and scoring the only goal from the penalty spot in a 1-0 victory over Servette.
After a turbulent spell and his resulting departure from Sion Mathieu had trials at both Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday, though neither club followed up on their interest.
After another brief trial, he joined Carlisle United on 8th March until the end of the season, and made his debut against Yeovil Town on 23 March, coming on as a second half substitute and helping Carlisle earn a 3-3 draw with an injury time assist. He made a further six appearances, all as a substitute, before being released at the end of the season following the expiry of his contract.
Mathieu signed a one-year deal with Coventry City on 7th August 2013 despite Coventry being under a transfer embargo. Having not played for the first team since October, his contract was terminated by mutual consent in January 2014.
Later that month, he signed an 18-month contract with Belgian second tier side Royal Antwerp, and has made around ten appearances for the side.
Following the conclusion of the 2013/14 season Mathieu's Antwerp contract was cancelled by mutual consent.