Defender Alan Sheehan signs Notts County deal

Sheehan made 10 appearances for Mansfield in the 2006/07 season

Notts County have signed defender Alan Sheehan on a two-year contract after he was released by Swindon Town.

The left-back, who had a loan spell with Mansfield in 2006, has also played for Leicester and Leeds United.

Sheehan, 24, told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I am looking forward to it. It's exciting and they've got a very good manager here [Martin Allen].

"He won't settle for anything less than something good. Notts County is a club on the up and it is an exciting time."

The defender joined Leicester in the summer of 2003 after being spotted by a scout playing for the Irish youth club Belvedere FC.

Sheehan struggled to break into the first team in five years with the East Midlands club, making only 20 league starts.

He went out on loan to Mansfield and Leeds, before moving to the latter on a free transfer in July 2008.

Sheehan again failed to make an impact in the first team over two years and was loaned out to Crewe Alexandra, Oldham Athletic and Swindon Town.

A permanent move to Swindon followed in August last year and he made 21 appearances in League One as Swindon were relegated.

"Everyone wants to play at the highest level they can and hopefully I will play in this league for a season and then it would be nice to get promoted," Sheehan added.

The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international is Allen's fourth close-season signing after the arrival of Ishmel Demontagnac last month and the addition of Julian Kelly and Jude Stirling earlier this week.