Mansfield Town have picked up Liam Roberts following the goalkeeper’s expired contract with second tier side, Millwall. The League One outfit have added important experience to their team ahead of another vital campaign.
The 30-year-old is no stranger to League One football, with a 2023/24 loan campaign consisting of 40 appearances for Barnsley in the third division. Roberts earned a move to Millwall the following season but featured just six times in his one-year spell at The Den. Further third tier experience was enjoyed between 2015 and 2019 with Walsall; 66 League One appearances followed a 2016/17 loan spell with Chester FC in the National League.
As a Walsall academy graduate, the Saddlers enjoyed 149 games from the 30-year-old, before Roberts moved to Northampton Town in 2021 and then went two steps higher to Boro for their 2022/23 Championship season. However, Roberts only made another five appearances for Michael Carrick’s side.
Early Business Keeps Going
The Stags have already been busy with their arrivals this window. Ryan Sweeney and Regan Hendry have both joined Mansfield on free deals following their respective contract expirations with Burton Albion and Tranmere Rovers. Ten senior players have also been moved on via free deals or at the end of their contracted spell, including: Aden Flint, Hiram Boateng and Stephen Quinn.
A Delighted Manager
In an interview with the club’s media team, Nigel Clough was thrilled to unveil this signing and marked it as a statement of intent for Mansfield:
“We needed a first-choice goalkeeper and we think Liam fits the bill perfectly. He’s played against us over the years and we’ve been very impressed by him.
“He has Championship experience as well as a lot of experience in League One. He’s at a good age and we’re very pleased to have him as our number one.”
Writer’s View
Mansfield look to be building a promising back line with new additions, Sweeney and Roberts. Experience is clearly the priority for Clough and it is a sensible strategy following their 17th-placed finish last season. 73 goals conceded needs to be improved dramatically to remain in the division for another season.
Although, with Roberts providing healthy experience already in this league and above, that goals conceded bracket could be cut down tremendously. All in all, this is a very promising move to reignite the 30-year-old’s career as he nears the goalkeeping twilight period in a few years. Mansfield will also look to reap the rewards of agreeing a deal with an ex-Championship footballer by potentially using it as leverage in upcoming negotiations.
