Mansfield Town have brought in 26-year-old striker Rhys Oates who scored 18 goals for Hartlepool last season as they won promotion from the National League into League Two.

The Pontefract born forward started his career at Barnsley as a youngster before moving to the Pools after loan spells at Gainsborough Trinity, Stockport County, Grimsby Town and Chester.

After 99 league games at Victoria Park, Oates moved to Morecambe in 2018 between a further short loan at Gateshead and after 44 games in all competitions returned to Hartlepool last season where he excelled under Manager Dave Challinor.

Oates signs a two-year contract at Field Mill and said on signing “I met the manager and went to the training ground on Saturday.“

“The way the gaffer spoke and where he thinks the club can go, along with the setup where I’ll be training week-in, week-out, I thought it was a perfect fit for me.

“It is a great setup, where I know as a team, we’ll get on together well.

“With any club you go to, you have to come in and prove yourself. I’ll work as hard as I can in pre-season.”

The signing of Oates sadly paves the way towards the exit door for Jamie Reid who joins Stevenage for an undisclosed fee. Reid scored 7 goals in 45 matches for the Stags last season and was a hard-working nuisance for opposition defences after joining from Torquay United but never really found the net as much as his performances deserved.

The club went on record to wish Reid well as he moves to pastures new.

*Main image @mansfieldtownfc new signing Rhys Oates excited to be at the club.