Chesterfield sign striker Marc Richards

Chesterfield have signed striker Marc Richards from Port Vale.

The 29-year-old is out of contract at Vale Park and will join the Spireites when his deal with the Valiants expires on 30 June.

Richards scored 67 goals in 181 league appearances for Vale after joining them from Barnsley in 2007.

Chief executice Chris Turner told the club website: "I am absolutely delighted that Marc Richards has decided to join us."

Before the deal went through Turner told BBC Radio Sheffield: "We're one of a number of clubs who have expressed an interest.

"Myself and John (Sheridan) have put a lot of time and effort into talking to Marc and his agent.

"We couldn't have done any more to entice him here. I don't think we could have sold the club to him any better."

Chesterfield were relegated from League One after just one season in April and Turner is keen for them to strengthen in order to mount a promotion bid next time out.

"We want to bring experienced players to the club and we're hoping to recruit five or six players by the start of pre-season," he continued.

"We've spoken to three already. It's always difficult to get the in demand players signed up early because they have a lot of options."

Turner insisted the club were hopeful of keeping hold of forward Jordan Bowery and long-serving goalkeeper Tommy Lee.

"We get interest most days from agents enquiring about them but we're trying to build a team to bounce straight back and selling your best players is going to make that harder," he concluded.

"Both players have been here for a number of years and they've got a feeling for Chesterfield and we hope they stay."