Mansfield Town have made another strong addition to their defensive ranks with the signing of Kyle Knoyle.
The experienced right-back arrives on a two-year deal following his release from League One rivals Stockport County.
Stags Strengthen with Former Doncaster and Cambridge United Full-Back
Nigel Clough’s side continue their summer rebuild by capturing 28-year-old Knoyle, a player with significant League One pedigree. He made 23 league appearances for Stockport last season, playing an important role in their promotion to the third tier.
Knoyle began his professional journey at West Ham United, earning a senior appearance in the Europa League before loan spells with Dundee United and Wigan Athletic helped shape his early career. After leaving the Hammers in 2017, he joined Swindon Town, making 60 appearances in two seasons.
His performances there earned a move to Cambridge United, where he truly shone. In the 2020/21 season, Knoyle was named in both the PFA and EFL League Two Teams of the Season as Cambridge earned promotion. A switch to Doncaster Rovers followed in 2021, where he contributed five assists across 45 League One outings.
After a strong start to the 2022/23 campaign with Doncaster, Knoyle moved to Stockport in January and was instrumental during their League Two run-in the following season. His five assists in 24 matches helped the Hatters secure a top-three finish.
Clough praised the signing, highlighting Knoyle’s adaptability:
“Kyle’s a player who we’ve played against a lot in the last few seasons. He gives us a lot of versatility on the right side, whether it be at centre-back, right-back or wing-back, so he’ll provide good competition in those areas. He knows this league inside-out and has played a big part in Stockport’s success.”
Knoyle becomes Mansfield’s fourth signing of the summer window, joining former Dundee and Sheffield Wednesday centre-back Ryan Sweeney, midfielder Regan Hendry from Forest Green Rovers, and goalkeeper Liam Roberts, who arrives from Barnsley.
The move reflects Clough’s strategy to bring in experience with proven League One success as Mansfield prepare for life back in the third tier following promotion.
Writer’s View
Kyle Knoyle is a shrewd acquisition for a side looking to stabilise in League One. With more than 250 senior appearances and promotions with both Cambridge and Stockport on his CV, he offers the sort of leadership and flexibility that clubs need when adjusting to a higher level.
Clough’s admiration for his adaptability suggests Knoyle could be a key figure—not just at right-back, but potentially across a back three or as wing-back. If Mansfield’s summer recruitment continues in this vein, they could do more than just survive in 2025–26.
