What new signings David McGoldrick and Michael Smith will bring to Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town have bolstered their squad with two new attacking signings as they look to build on their best league season in almost 40 years.
Last season’s impressive tenth-place finish could now be the benchmark for what’s to come for this exciting Stags side.
Spearheaded by an ambitious Nigel Clough, Mansfield have been making improvements ahead of another competitive League One campaign.
The manager identified the need for extra attacking firepower and the club has delivered with the arrival of David McGoldrick and Michael Smith. The two senior strikers join the ranks at the One Call Stadium while stars from last season in Tyler Roberts and Jon Russell have penned new contracts.
Smith has already said he believes his new side have what it takes to challenge for promotion this season. With his experience, he will be looking to help Stags achieve the dream of pushing for top six.
Both Smith and McGoldrick bring a wealth of experience with them to Mansfield Town this summer. They will join fellow seasoned players in the likes of Lucas Akins as Clough decides his strongest attacking formation.
Smith is no stranger to working for promotion to the Championship, having achieved it on three occasions during his time with Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United. The 34-year-old secured two promotions with Rotherham in 2018 and 2022, while earning the club’s Player of the Season award during the latter year.
Smith contributed 24 goals and seven assists across all competitions that season. He then won promotion with the Owls the following year, scoring 18 League One goals in his debut campaign at Hillsborough. The Wallsend-born forward has more than 150 senior goals under his belt.
McGoldrick also knows what it takes to fight for promotion, having made the step up to the Premier League with Sheffield United in 2019.
The 38-year-old scored 15 Championship goals that season, earning the Blades’ Player of the Year award for his efforts. His goal haul added to his own impressive overall tally, with almost 200 on the board to date.
Combined, McGoldrick and Smith have played more than 1,200 games during their career and will be bringing their seasoned goal-scoring ability to a hopeful Stags side once the new season gets underway in August.
Mansfield are looking to kick on once more under Clough, who has already led them to one promotion already. After just two seasons since their arrival in League One, conversations are building around their dream of pushing up another division and whether this coming season will see that come to fruition.