Lee Gregory hopes aggression endears him after swapping Sheffield Wednesday for League One club

The 35-year-old striker was frozen out by Owls manager Danny Rohl, but was unable to secure a move away in January, with the Stags one of the clubs showing an interest.

But with his contract expiring next month and Mansfield promoted to League One, he has made returned to the club for a second spell in 2024-25.

Gregory has signed a one-year contract at Field Mill.

Released by Sheffield United as a youngster, Gregory began his senior career with Staveley Miners Welfare before joining Mansfield as a trainee. He was quickly signed up by Halifax Town.

Despite being a boyhood Blade, Gregory quickly won the fans over at Hillsborough with his hard work and goalscoring instincts when he joined them in the summer of 2022.

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Despite only starting 25 matches, Gregory scored 10 league goals as the Owls won promotion from League One via the play-offs but last season he made just 10 league starts and three substitute appearances, scoring his only goal against Southampton on the opening day of the season.

He hopes the same approach will endear him to the Mansfield faithful.

“It’s a club on the up," he said. "It’s a perfect fit for me, with location factored in too, as well as hearing about the manager and how well he treats his players.

“I’m an aggressive forward who likes to get the ball in the box and score goals.

“Every game is tough in this league and it’ll be about being consistent week in, week out in order for us to do well.”

Gregory also won promotion from League One with Millwall in 2017, and has also played for Stoke City and Derby County.