Putting pen to paper on a two-year deal on a free transfer from League Two rivals Notts County, Carl Dickinson is Darren Way’s first permanent signing of the summer. 

Having helped guide Stoke City to the Premier League in 2008, the 31-year-old has gone on to enjoy spells with the likes of Leeds, Portsmouth, Coventry and Watford whilst featuring in all four top divisions of English football. 

Now contracted in Somerset, the Staffordshire-born defender is ready to help achieve the management’s vision. 

Speaking to iFollow Glovers, he said: “I’m delighted to join, the club was sold to me and I really can’t wait to get going. 

“They (the management) sold me the vision of where they want the club to go next season and for me, I want to be a part of that. I’ll make sure I give everything day in, day out to get where this club and the manager want to be.

“I want to play football and be happy and I think with the manager and his staff they’re going to give me everything to do that and I’ll make sure I give everything as well.”

Spending the last two seasons with the Magpies, Dickinson featured 32 times in 2017/18 as Kevin Nolan’s side made it to the play-off semi-final. 

Becoming one of the more experienced players in the Town squad, the defender is happy to lead some of the younger members of the squad. 

“I know what needs to be done in this league and if I can pass on any experience to the younger lads and be a part of where we want to go this season, hopefully, my experience can count,” he said.

“I’m just going to be me – I like to be a voice in dressing room day in, day out. If I can help anyone that’s a bonus but I’m here to do my job and that’s to help myself get better and help the team get three points on a Saturday.”