Mansfield Town signed experienced defender Krystian Pearce on Friday evening.

The 25-year-old, who was most recently at Torquay United, played 45 minutes in last weekend’s Green Energy Challenge Trophy win against de Rainworth Miner’s Welfare.

Pearce, the Stags’ 13th summer signing, began his career on the books of Birmingham City, but made his senior debut for Notts County during a loan spell at Meadow Lane in the 2007/08 campaign.

Following a short stint with Port Vale, he played a leading role in helping Scunthorpe United achieve promotion to the Championship the following season – making 40 league appearances for the Iron.

He turned out in the second tier for Peterborough United and, after spending time on loan at Huddersfield Town, when his contract with Birmingham expired in June 2010, Notts County secured his signature.

Pearce enjoyed a successful three-year stint with the Magpies – featuring 68 times as County established themselves at League One level, before adding over 70 more appearances to his name during a two-year stay at Torquay.

After putting pen to paper, Pearce said: “I’m excited [about signing for Mansfield]. I’ve trained the past few days and it’s been good.

“It’s good to be back in the League and also to be at, what seems to be, a very good club.

“The gaffer wants to win, and so do I. I’m naturally competitive and I’ll be trying to win every game in which we play,” he added.