Ched Evans' first match for Chesterfield may be against old rivals Sheffield Wednesday

The Welsh striker, 27, signed an initial one-year contract with the option of another 12 months and he will officially become a Spireite on July 1.

Evans will go on trial on October 4 charged with raping a woman in May 2011. He has pleaded not guilty.

His last game was for Sheffield United against Leyton Orient on April 14, 2012 in which he scored in a 3-1 win for the Blades at Bramall Lane.

Evans was jailed later that year for raping a 19-year-old woman but the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction in April.

The former Manchester City and Norwich striker is now looking forward to playing football again at Chesterfield and he will link up with his new team-mates at the start of next month when pre-season training begins.

‘’I am very excited and privileged to be resuming my career at Chesterfield and I hope to make a valuable contribution both on and off the pitch for the football club, the fans and the community,’’ Evans told the club’s official website.

Previous attempts by clubs to sign Evans have failed amid protests. He came close to joining Chesterfield’s League One rivals Oldham in January 2015 but the club pulled out of the deal following pressure from sponsors

Shortly before that Evans also had an invitation to use Sheffield United’s training facilities rescinded after more than 150,000 people signed a petition opposing it.

Sheffield-born Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill asked for her name to be removed from a stand at Bramall Lane if Evans re-signed for the club while three club patrons resigned from their roles.

Chesterfield chairman Dave Allen admitted it is not a decision the club came to lightly.

He told the club’s official website: “We are delighted to have secured the services of an outstanding footballer, who is now keen to get back to work and score goals.

“(Manager) Danny Wilson knows Ched very well, having previously managed him at Sheffield United. Chris Morgan, our first team coach, also speaks highly of him from their time together at Bramall Lane.

“Chesterfield Football Club have given a great deal of thought to this signing and following the court’s decision, we are in no doubt that Ched Evans should be welcomed back into his profession as a professional footballer.”

Evans, who at the time of his now quashed conviction had scored 35 that season, is likely to make his first appearance for Chesterfield in a pre-season friendly match.

The Spireites have yet to confirm any opponents but Championship neighbours Sheffield Wednesday have provisionally been pencilled in for a visit to the Proact Stadium on July 16.