NICKY Hunt admits he is keen to make an impression with Mansfield Town having joined the Stags from Accrington Stanley.

The former Bolton Wanderers defender was out of contract at the Store First Stadium and has turned down an offer of a new contract from John Coleman's side to join the Reds' League Two rivals.

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And the 31-year-old is ready to hit the ground running with Adam Murray's men.

Hunt said: “I’m very pleased to have signed for the club and am really looking forward to working with the manager and the rest of the players.

“I know he (the manager) won’t accept mediocrity and I want to help put Mansfield back on the map."

Hunt, who made more than 60 appearances for Stanley during his two-season stint at the Store First Stadium, will meet his new team-mates on Monday when Mansfield start pre-season training.

The full back, who played more than 150 games for Bolton, spent time with Birmingham, Derby, Bristol City, Preston and Roherham prior to joining Stanley.

And Mansfield boss Murray said he was delighted with the capture.

Murray said: “Nicky adds vital experience and know-how to our back line.

"He is an excellent defender and also has top quality distribution.

“He has played at a much higher level [than League Two] and as well as his football intelligence, he brings some real quality into the squad."

Hunt follows Luke Joyce, Rob Atkinson and Kal Naismith in leaving Stanley over the summer.

But Coleman has strengthened his squad with the signings of Adam Morgan, Sean McConville, Matt Pearson and Tom Davies while Piero Mingoia, Gerardo Bruna, Liam Goulding and Marcus Carver have penned new deals to stay with the club.