Jimmy Knowles is determined to prove himself in League Two after joining Stanley from Boston United on a two-year deal.

The 22-year-old striker came through the ranks at Nottingham Forest and had a spell at Mansfield, making six appearances for the Stags.

Knowles had loan spells at Notts County, Greenock Morton and Kettering Town before heading to Boston. He scored 19 goals in National League North last term while playing alongside Kelsey Mooney, who has also joined the Reds ahead of the new season.

“I am buzzing to have finally signed, I can’t wait to get started. Last season was my first full season playing every game at Boston and I really enjoyed it,” he told the club website.

“I played regularly, the manager put trust in me to play and I just went out there and enjoyed playing football, and it showed. I scored tap-ins, outside the box, penalties – a bit of everything.

“It means a lot to be back in the EFL. My goal is to play as high as I can and this is a very good step up.

“I have never really played regularly in League Two so it will be good for me to challenge myself, but I know I am more than capable of doing it. I am a striker, goals is what I have come here to score.

“It’s good Kelsey Mooney is here. We have played with each other and got 40-odd goals together last season and we know what each other does, we complement each other well.

“I have had a break and now I am looking forward to getting back to work.”

Knowles becomes Stanley’s fourth signing of the summer after Mooney, Tyler Walton and Michael Kelly as John Doolan prepares for his first full season in charge.

Doolan added: “We have watched Jimmy in quite a few games and we are really pleased to get it done. It’s been a good few months and a lot of work has gone into this signing, so myself and Ged (Brannan) are really happy.

“I was impressed with Jimmy’s work rate. He can run in behind, score goals and he helped Boston get promoted. It’s his all-round play, his work-rate off the ball, his running – he is an Accrington Stanley player.

“We want players to give everything in the shirt – his quality, his finishing and his assists. He is the all-round package and hopefully he can step on and take that onto the pitch at Accrington.

“Straight away he said he wanted to get 20 goals this season – which is a big target – but if that’s the standard, that’s brilliant. He is ethusiastic and can’t wait to get going.”