The 32-year-old, who has played international football for Republic of Ireland, had a medical at the Greenhous Meadow and has signed a two-year deal with the club.

Town boss Micky Mellon has been looking to strengthen his team in wide areas and Lawrence will provide some welcome experience at wide right following the departure of Jon Taylor to Peterborough last month.

He is Mellon's 12th signing of a busy summer at the Greenhous Meadow.

The boss has been working tirelessly to re-shape his squad ahead of their forthcoming League Two promotion push which will get under way at AFC Wimbledon on August 9.

Lawrence started his career at Mansfield Town in 1999, having progressed through the youth ranks at Field Mill. He spent five years in the first team and helped guide the Stags to promotion to the English third tier in 2001-02. Relegation and a failed play-off campaign followed.

His own personal form then earned him a move to North East giants Sunderland in June 2004 and he played a pivotal role in their promotion to the Premier League as Championship winners at the end of his first season there,

Lawrence played 33 times in the top flight but he could not prevent the Black Cats being relegated on just 15 points.

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A loan move to Stoke the following season was made permanent in January 2007 and, after helping the team to an eighth-place finish in the Championship, he scored 15 goals in 44 games to help fire them to promotion as runner-sup the following season.

He helped keep the Potters in the top flight in the next two seasons before moving to Portsmouth, in 2010, and then having spells at Cardiff City and Greek side PAOK Salonika.

In January he moved back to Barnsley and played 14 times but was unable to steer them clear of relegation. He was released at the end of the season.