Mansfield Town have announced the signing of striker Liam Hearn, after the club received confirmation of his registration from the Football League this afternoon.

The 28-year-old, who was previously with Grimsby Town, joins the Stags following a successful trial period at One Call Stadium towards the end of last season.

Born in Bulwell, Hearn has averaged a goal every other game during his career, which started at Hucknall Town over a decade ago.

The striker top-scored for the Yellows in the 2003/04 campaign as they won the Northern Premier League, but were denied promotion to the Conference Premier due to ground-grading issues.

He later had spells with Eastwood Town, Quorn and Chasetown, before joining Alfreton Town in 2008, where he scored 45 goals in 76 appearances during a three-year spell.

His exploits whilst at the Impact Arena – in particular scoring 32 goals during the Reds’ title-winning season in the Conference North, something which earned him the divisional ‘Player of the Year’ – resulted in Grimsby Town swooping to secure his services for a £30,000 fee in June 2011.

In almost three full years with the Mariners, Hearn featured on 72 occasions, scoring 34 goals, including 29 goals in his first season.

Hime at Blundell Park was hampered by injury.

The forward ruptured his achilles tendon against Stockport County in only the second match of the 2012/13 campaign, which kept him sidelined for seven months.

He recovered and made 15 appearances for the Mariners last term, scoring four times including a goal against Barnet during a clash in which he also suffered a serious injury to his cruciate ligament.

Having left Grimsby by mutual consent back in March and is now relishing the chance to play in the Football League for the first time in his career.

He said: “I’ve known the gaffer [Paul Cox] for a long time and I had my heart set on coming here last summer, but it didn’t materialise and then this season I thought it would never happen due to my [cruciate] injury.

“My immediate targets are to have an injury-free season and score some goals. The fans can be a real force here, and I’m hoping we can have some good times.”