Forest Green Rovers have secured the signing of long-term target Paul Digby from Mansfield Town for an undisclosed fee.

The versatile 23-year-old has signed a two-year deal and can play in a number of positions including central midfield, central defence and right-back.

The former Barnsley player, who won their most promising academy player award in 2008, made 21 appearances for the Tykes.

He got a move to Championship side Ipswich Town in 2016 before making the switch to Mansfield at the end of his one-year contract last summer.

Digby, who has been capped at under 19 and 20 level for England, said that manager Mark Cooper was key to his move to The New Lawn and believes, with the recruits that have been brought in this summer, it is a good time to be at the club.

Digby said: “The manager played a big role in my move here.

“I have played against his teams a fair few times now, his Swindon team, his Forest Green team and they play football the way I want to play football and that was a massive attraction for me.

“The other factor was the players they have brought in already this summer. They look like they are going to have a real go this season, so it is exciting for me to be here.”

Cooper said: “We’ve been chasing Paul for the majority of the summer after being informed that he was available but it took a while to get done.

“We’re pleased to get it over the line. He is 6’ 4”, can fill a number of positions for us and has got that presence as well.

“What we’ve done is taken players who are young in years but have got a lot of experience in terms of games they have played and clubs they have been at.

“He is a big lad but he is also a good footballer. He can play in midfield as an enforcer, he can play at centre-half, he can play right-back, it is a really good signing for us.”

Digby will wear number 20 for Forest Green, with the deal being subject to EFL and FA approval.