Mansfield Town

The former Burton Albion man put pen-to-paper on a deal at One Call Stadium earlier today after manager Murray swooped to bring him to the club following his release from the Pirelli Stadium.

And Taft, who won promotion from League 2 with the Brewers two season ago, says the manager’s vision was a key element in his decision to sign.

“It’s obviously a big stadium, I like the look of everything and everything that’s going on at the minute, the work that’s getting put in, it’s looking good,” Taft said.

“The mindset and the belief in what the gaffer’s shown in what he reckons the season can hold [was a big reason in my decision to sign].

“I know a few of the lads down here and they’ve said how good the set up and stuff [is], so it’s drawn my attention to the club.”

Prior to signing with Adam Murray’s men, the 22-year-old spoke with friend and former team-mate Adi Yussuf who ‘twisted his arm’ to join the Stags.

“We played together for a couple of years and I’m good mates with him anyway. He’s just said about last season; I saw a few games last season and obviously looked at the results [and] they did well and he wants to push on from there, the gaffer and the chairman, everyone [wants to push on], and Adi’s given me that confidence in the team.

“[He] was the first person I spoke to. I asked him the logistics, training, facilities, what the gaffer’s like, the lads and he’s given me a positive outlook.”

After seeing Leicester and Burton enjoy incredible success last season, Taft says the triumphs of his two former clubs spurs him on to create more memorable moments of his own. 

“Watching Burton winning and getting promotion and being around that team, that’s really spurred me on. I’m a Leicester fan so watching that, everything just makes you believe and think that anything can happen so I just want to get on the pitch now,” Taft said.

“It was a good experience, obviously going up as champions was good and obviously I want to feel that again and this could be the club to do it, hopefully.”

The 6ft 5in defender suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury whilst on loan at Cambridge United last season and is now looking forward to ‘making up for lost time’.

“I was out on loan at Cambridge and ruptured my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament); it obviously happens and I’ve just got to bounce back and now I’m just looking to work hard, get my fitness there and get my games back.

“With an injury like this, you kind of spend more time on your body and you know more about yourself so it can only benefit me.”

Supporters can watch Taft’s full interview on Stags Player HD.