The first new signing of the summer transfer window, will soon be walking through the doors of Mansfield Town’s One Call Stadium, when having also announced a contract extension for Stephen Quinn, and the signing of ex-Nottingham Forest loanee Will Swann, on a permanent deal, the Stags also brought in left-back, Nottingham-born Calum Macdonald.

Having finished in eighth place in the 2022/23 campaign, missing out on the play-offs on goal-difference, meaning another season in the Football League’s bottom division, manager Nigel Clough has struck early in order to strengthen.

Strengthen a squad that was visibly hampered by injuries during the latter stages of a campaign now long in the rear-view mirror the defence, for Clough, is seemingly the priority having recently told ‘iFollow Stags’ that: “We need two or three defenders now.

“…… we need a couple of centre-halves which we’re in negotiations with at the moment.

“…… we’re still chasing our first choices (targets) and we’ve not received any definite knock backs at the moment,” read full article, pre-Macdonald signing, here.

The signing of Macdonald, sees the 25-year-old having begun his career with local side, Arnold Town, before joining the Academy set-up at East Midlands outfit, Derby County; spells at Barrow (loan), Blackpool, Tranmere Rovers (initially on loan), Stockport County, and, most recently, Bristol Rovers.

Whilst at Derby, Macdonald was named the U23s Player of the Year, in 2017, and in 2021, at Tranmere, he’d play the full ninety minutes in the EFL Trophy final, at Wembley Stadium, Rovers losing 1-0 to Sunderland.

Of his joining the Stags, on a two-year-deal, with the option of a third, Macdonald said: “I’m absolutely delighted to sign for the Stags.

“The club has kept a strong squad together and this seems like the perfect place for me at this stage of my career.”

Read about the signing, and Clough’s thoughts, here.

Alongside the signing of Macdonald, the Stags have also signed last season’s loanee, Will Swan, on a three-year contract (option of a fourth), the striker having been the club’s top scorer, with 10 goals in 30 goals, last time around; fellow loanees, Riley Harbottle (Forest), and Christy Pym (Peterborough United), have returned to their parent clubs.

Of the contract extensions the club have put out, Stephen Quinn, the Co-Chairperson’s Player of the Season, who initially joined on loan in January 2021, is a fan-favourite at the One Call, and a key component of Clough’s side, has been rewarded with a one-year extension.

The former Sheffield United, Hull City and Burton Albion midfielder, has made more than 100 appearances for the Stags, with extensions also offered to that of George Cooper (defender), Jason Law (midfielder), James Perch (defender), Kieran Wallace (defender), an extensions triggered with Taylor Anderson (defender) and Scott Flinders (goalkeeper).

Contracted players announced by Mansfield Town are that of Lucas Akins, Hiram Boateng, Jordan Bowery, Ollie Clarke, James Gale, Anthony Hartigan, Elliott Hewitt, Callum Johnson, Davis Keillor-Dunn, Alfie Kilgour, George Maris, Owen Mason, Stephen McLaughlin, Rhys Oates, John-Joe O’Toole, Louis Reed.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc Calum MacDonald is the first signing through the door for Mansfield this summer.