New recruit Mills can't wait to get started at Cobblers

New signing Joseph Mills has vowed to bring goals, assists and some defensive nous to the Cobblers after becoming their latest recruit earlier today.

The 30-year-old turned down a new contract at Forest Green Rovers, where he was captain, and also rejected interest from elsewhere to sign a two-year deal with the Cobblers.

Mills can play both left-back and left-midfield but it's expected he'll compete alongside the likes of Nicky Adams, Sam Hoskins, Joe Martin and Michael Harriman for one of the two wing-back slots.

On what he'll offer the Cobblers, Mill said: "Obviously as a defender you need to be able to defend but at the same time my attributes and my qualities are that I like to get forward and I like to get assists.

"I also score a few goals as well which I managed to do last season and the season before too.

"The competition for places at Northampton is excellent, brilliant, and just what you want in a squad and a team. You want everyone pushing each other and you want somebody behind you pushing you on.

"To come into a group of quality players, I've got to raise my level and bring it to the table."

Mills' Forest Green were due to host the Cobblers just 24 hours before the 2019/20 League One season was suspended back in March. Rovers' win at Swindon Town the previous weekend - nearly five months ago - remains the last time that he played a competitive fixture.

He added: "The last few months have been very different! It's been tough for everyone involved because we had that long break but you have to have that desire to improve yourself away from the cameras and away from the fans.

"It's been a real challenge but one that you know is going to put you in good stead next season when it all kicks off again."

Like Town's previous two summer signings, Jonathan Mitchell and Christopher Missilou, Mills was impressed by Town's performances in the League Two play-offs last season, and meeting manager Keith Curle sealed the deal.

He continued: "I think every player in the league watched the play-offs! The character and the courage of the players to not only come back in the semi-final but go on and win the final like they did was brilliant.

"I was impressed when I came and spoke to the manager. I saw the desire that the team had last season and the group that they had and still have. I think the way he spoke about the players, the club and the fanbase really attracted me.

"The way he spoke and the way he sold it to me was about showing desire and commitment. Knowing some of the players in the squad and their characters, hopefully I can bring my attributes and my leadership qualities to the table and we can have a productive season.

"We'll come up against some real quality in League One but we're coming up with a real hunger to do well, not only to settle but to push ourselves and push on and let's see where it takes us."