Evans backs Diamond to shine for Stags

The 32-year-old is the Stags second signing this week following the arrival of goalkeeper Conrad Logan.

It is believed Diamond turned down a deal to stay at Northampton Town who he joined from Burton in 2014.

He has been a regular for the Cobblers and helped them achieve promotion from League Two in 2015/16.

And Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans says the 6ft 2in defender is hungry for another promotion on his CV.

Evans said: “I was absolutely delighted to receive a call late last night from Zander Diamond to confirm that he wanted to be part of what we’re trying to build at the One Call Stadium.

“I became very aware, not only from the representatives of the lad, but from other managers who I speak to on a regular basis, that we were in a fight to secure the services of the big man and against a host of EFL clubs, mainly in League One, but in League Two and of course in the Scottish Premier League.

“Our supporters, of course, will know him. He is a dominant centre-back who is vociferous on the pitch, a leader of men. Not only is he Northampton Town’s current Player of the Year, but he is still highly ambitious and wants to be involved in another promotion campaign after his great success under my good friend Chris Wilder.”

Diamond has more than 400 career appearances under his belt in a career that began with Scottish side Aberdeen in 2003. He spent eight years at the Pittodrie Stadium and represented Scotland at under-21s level.

He joined Oldham Athletic for the 2011/12 season, moved to Burton Albion where he remained for 18 months before joining Northampton who helped to preserve their Football League status.

A mid-table 2014/15 season set the Cobblers up well for a memorable 2015/16 when Diamond played 39 times in their League Two title-winning season, winning the division by 13 points.

He has been a regular in the Northampton back line since and was voted the club’s Player of the Season at their annual awards dinner before opting to team up with Evans and the Stags.

Diamond’s deal at One Call Stadium will run from July 1st and is subject to EFL ratification.