Released Blues defender or midfielder Paul Digby has joined League Two Mansfield Town.

Digby was told that Town would not be taking up an option for a further year on his contract towards the end of the season having signed for the Blues from Barnsley on a free transfer last summer following a loan spell during the second half of the previous campaign.

“He has had a lot of competition and he needs to go and play," manager Mick McCarthy said when announcing Digby's departure.

"There’s no point in him traipsing around sitting on the bench, sitting in the stand watching us, he needs to go and play some football.

“I think Diggers will have a career then somewhere but he’s not going to play in my first team if Chambo’s still here and Tommy Smith and Adam Webster, he’s not going to play in front of them.”

The 22-year-old is pleased to be joining the Stags, who are managed by former Boston, Crawley, Rotherham and Leeds boss Steve Evans.

"I'm really excited to be here," he told Mansfield’s official website. "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."

Former England U19 and U20 international Digby spent most of his time at Town playing at centre-half but Mansfield plan to use him in midfield, the role he usually occupied during his time with the Tykes.

In total, Digby made seven starts and five sub appearances for the Blues without scoring.

Mansfield have also signed ex-Blues winger Paul Anderson, 28, who left Northampton at the end of the season.

Photo: TWTD

SamWhiteUK added 17:20 - May 16 Didn't think he stood out enough to make it. Good luck to him, can't say I'm surprised.
4

havinit69 added 17:22 - May 16 About his level, wish him well, but what MM saw in him to offer him a contract I'll never know. I guess that's backed up by the fact that he can only attract a league 2 club!
8

Bluetone added 17:31 - May 16 I wonder would Mansfield like to take McCarthy as their manager, about his level too.
12

12th_Man added 17:33 - May 16 Shame it didn't work out for him here thought he looked decent
2

jas0999 added 17:35 - May 16 Good move for him. Sadly not up to Championship standard, but about the level of budget we have been going for on fees in recent years. Should do well in division two.
9

jpring89 added 17:35 - May 16 Ffs another gem leaves Ipswich Town...
0

RobITFC added 17:36 - May 16 "Optimism" - what is that?
9

Seasider added 17:40 - May 16 Its good for him that he has found a club so quickly,and all the best to he lad for the future. It proves that Barnsley were right to let him go,and that most free transfers are not good enough for regular Championship football.In his case he has had to move even further down the leagues than when he was at Micks old club. The sooner Mr Evans realises this as well,the better;or we could end up in Div 1

14

parkinshair added 17:44 - May 16 A midfielder, a defender, an octopus, nobody knows what Mansfield have signed anymore, not even Digby.
1

woohoo added 17:48 - May 16 TBH hardly noticed him for Town. Wish him good luck for the future though
4

Cakeman added 18:06 - May 16 A very familiar story. We sign someone who is affordable and fills our squad numbers but then is evidently not good enough so then release him. We still have a few of those on our books too and no doubt we shall see an influx of players this summer that are players coming to the end of their careers or players that will be purchased from recently relegated clubs or those that have not made it at their former clubs. Sad but that is all we can attract these days. We could not even think about the the likes of a David Nugent or Billy Sharp.

7

Ipswichbusiness added 18:09 - May 16 I suspect that if he was given a decent run in someone's first team he would mature into a useful player. However, for once, I agree with McCarthy; there's no point in him being here just playing the odd match. I wish him well.
2

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 18:15 - May 16 Fair enough!
1

silkcutblue added 18:38 - May 16 If he`s not going to get in the team because of chambers smith and Webster why the hell did you sign him in the first place mick
4

therein61 added 18:42 - May 16 I notice that Paul Anderson has gone to Mansfield as well while not outstanding for us he always put a wholehearted shift in when he wore the blue shirt(but not a proper bloke) good luck to him and Digby, although I am not a Steve Evans fan his comment last week on bbc football was " get you business done early and the new players settled into the club before pre season anybody not doing this does not know what they are doing!!" over to you great manager put your golf clubs away and earn your vast salary for once!!

8

Tufty added 18:48 - May 16 Sadly never looked good enough Barnsley had that worked out
4

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 19:34 - May 16 Wouldn't it make more sense to sign some real quality? At that rate, if they moved on, at least we'd get some money for them.
2

cranky_old_tractor added 20:18 - May 16 Good luck diggers........we have a manager who is about the same league standard (at best).....any takers? You can have him for free Mansfield
0

heathen66 added 21:19 - May 16 Unfortunately like many others that are not part of the chosen few, was not given the chance to play in his proper position (Centre Back). Looked like a rabbit in the headlights when asked to play in a holding midfield when trying hold on for a draw. Again this says it all that he will never get a game whilst Chambo is at the club....but Mick...what if Chambo is not on form ??? I think we know the answer don't we !!! He will keep playing until he does have a good game and Mick will say....'I told you I was right !!!' Good Luck Paul, I hope it works out for you

8

prebsa added 21:57 - May 16 Total waste of wages for a year
6

Keaneish added 22:30 - May 16 Behind Chambers, Smith and Webster we still need cover. What he's actually saying is, you're not good enough at the moment Paul. Or, you haven't progressed well enough in the year youve been here Paul. What happened to straight talking Mick?
3

parkinshair added 23:37 - May 16 Sorry Cakeman. That was meant to be an up vote.
1

BrettenhamBlue added 00:52 - May 17 Solid League 2 player, so good move for him.
2

harlingblue added 03:08 - May 17 Always looked solid and noisy with instructions during U23 games, perhaps a bit too impetuous in the few 1st team games that he has played. Perhaps our coaching staff need a revamp? I wish him luck in his future, there is a player in there.
1

Dissboyitfc added 07:42 - May 17 Good luck to him. Thats his level, shame we could all see it and MM didnt. We will go down this next season with MM in charge!!!
1

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