Palmer pockets trio

Mansfield Town have added three players to their squad on free transfers.

Stags boss Carlton Palmer has brought in Adam Birchall, Jason Talbot and Gus Uhlenbeek as he looks to rebuild his Field Mill squad.

Birchall has signed a two-year contract with the League Two side after the striker was released by Arsenal at the end of the season.

The 20-year-old undertook a loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers last term, where he played alongside veteran defender Uhlenbeek.

Uhlenbeek rejected a new deal with Wycombe and has signed a 12-month contract at Mansfield, with Talbot handed the same terms.

Talbot spent a month on loan with The Stags last season and was offloaded by Bolton Wanderers, with Palmer happy with his new signings.

"I want to get a balance between youth and experience and that is why my first signings were Gus Uhlenbeek and Adam Birchall," Palmer told the club's official website.

"I am delighted to have both these players with Gus refusing a contract offer from Wycombe and Adam turning down a deal at Arsenal to come here.

"Jason did brilliant for us during his loan spell. He is more than capable of playing at a higher level than this."

Meanwhile, Palmer has created room in his squad for the new arrivals by allowing Tom Curtis and Adam Eaton to leave the club.

Curtis had 12 months remaining on his deal at Field Mill but is believed to have another club lined up, with Palmer expecting to sign four more players next Monday.