Rhys Walters

Rhys Anthony Walters is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Port Vale. He has also played on loan at Leek Town.

Career
At nine, Walters joined the youth set-up at Port Vale. He made his first-team debut at the age of sixteen on 18 October 2022, coming on for Mipo Odubeko 89 minutes into a 2–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 in an EFL Trophy group stage game at Vale Park. On 4 March 2023, he joined Northern Premier League Division One West club Leek Town on a work experience loan agreement until the end of the 2022–23 season.

Walters made his first start for Port Vale on 29 August 2023, in a 0–0 draw with Crewe Alexandra in the second round of the EFL Cup; he was substituted on 57 minutes, going on to win the man of the match award. Seven days later, he played his first full 90 minutes for the club in a 1–0 victory against the same opponents in a group stage game of the EFL Trophy, where he was paired in the centre of midfield with the experienced Jason Lowe. He provided the assist for Josh Thomas to score the first goal in a 2–1 win over Sutton United in the third round of the EFL Cup on 26 September. He was named as man of the match in the EFL Trophy tie with Newcastle United U21 on 10 October. Speaking the following month, manager Andy Crosby said that "his performances have gradually improved with the more experience he gets", but that he needed to find an "aggressive edge". However a contract was left unsigned due to objections from the player's agent. In April 2024, new manager Darren Moore said that "we feel though he is at a level where he can contribute to the team". He picked up a foot injury in the last game of the 2023–24 season. Contract talks had remained at a stalemate since the start of the year.

Style of play
Walters is a midfielder with good vision.