Mansfield Town sign former Ipswich player Paul Digby

Mansfield Town have continued their summer recruitment by signing former England U20s defender/midfielder Paul Digby.
The One Call Stadium, home of Mansfield Town FC.The One Call Stadium, home of Mansfield Town FC.
The One Call Stadium, home of Mansfield Town FC.

Digby joins the Stags after leaving Championship side Ipswich Town at the end of the 2016/17 campaign.

He comes just hours after tags signed striker Jimmy Spencer.

Born in Sheffield, the 22-year-old progressed through the ranks of the Barnsley academy and was handed his first team debut aged just 16, becoming the Tykes’ fourth youngest ever player.

He appeared four times for the Oakwell club in the 2011/12 season, including a Man-of-the-Match display against Birmingham City.

Digby played on a handful of occasions in each of the following two season as Barnsley allowed him to flourish in their under 18s and under 21s sides, as well as spending time with England under 19s and under 20s.

He made his under 19s debut in August 2013 and scored his only international goal three months later in a 4-1 win over Hungary.

The versatile defender/midfielder played 13 times in the 2014/15 season in League One, before joining Ipswich Town on loan for the second half of the 2015/16 season.

After impressing Tractor Boys’ boss Mick McCarthy, Ipswich made his loan move a permanent one ahead of the 2016/17 season, a campaign in which the club finished their Championship season in 16th position.

The 6ft 4in former Barnsley man was utilised as a defender in Suffolk, but is expected to be used as a central midfielder at One Call Stadium.

“I’m really excited to be here,” said Digby. “It’s a club with great ambitions for next season, with a good manager in place and great owners. I’m delighted to be here.

“There’s a real optimism around the club and that excites you as a player. You want to be fighting for promotions.

“The manager has won nine promotions and that speaks for itself. He knows how to get the best out of his team. Now I’ve signed, I can’t wait to get started.”