Mansfield Town have signed former Nottingham Forest winger Stephen McLaughlin from Southend United on a short-term deal.

The 30-year-old began his senior career in Ireland with Finn Harps, before moving to Derry City in 2011.

After two years with Derry, he made the switch to English football, moving to Championship side Nottingham Forest.

McLaughlin made his Reds’ debut against Leeds United towards the end of the 2013/14 campaign, appearing against Bournemouth and Brighton in the same season.

Loan spells at Bristol City, Notts County and Southend United saw him gain valuable experience, before a permanent move to the Shrimpers in 2015.

The winger made over 150 outings for Southend, most of which came in Sky Bet League One.

Manager Graham Coughlan, who worked previously with McLaughlin at Roots Hall, said: “Stephen gives us competition down the left and can play in several positions.

“He arrives at One Call Stadium with bags of experience and a promotion from League Two in 2015.

“He has a terrific work rate and attitude, so will fit into our dressing room really well.”