DEFENDER Liam Wakefield has signed a one-year deal with Morecambe after being released by Accrington Stanley.

The defender made nine starts for the Reds last season but was not offered a new deal by John Coleman following Stanley's play-off semi-final deferat to AFC Wimbledon last month.

And the 22-year-old has now penned a 12-month contract with the Shrimps to become their third signing of the summer.

Wakefield, who joined Stanley last summer from Doncaster on a free transfer and made 14 appearances for the Reds, the last of which came in March's 3-1 home defeat to Portsmouth.

And Morecambe boss Jim Bentley was pleased to have secured Wakefield's services.

He said: "Liam is a promising young defender who did well for Accrington in the early stages of last season before picking up an injury and we look forward to welcoming him into the squad.

"He is young and keen to do well. I have been impressed with his attitude and I am looking forward to working with him."

Meanwhile, Stanley's trip to Blackpool next March has been moved forward from Saturday, April 15, to Good Friday, April 14.