Haydn Hollis says he is excited to be linking back up with Forest Green Rovers manager Mark Cooper after joining the club this afternoon.

Hollis joins the club on an 18-month deal after terminating his contract with high-flying Notts County today, having only signed a new deal with the Magpies back in May last year.

However, he found himself fall down the pecking order this season, being restricted to appearances in the Carabao Cup and Checkatrade Trophy, and was itching to get the move to The New Lawn over the line as soon as he heard about the interest from former manager Mark Cooper.

“I’m delighted to be here and work for the manager again but more importantly I’m delighted to try and be playing football again,” he said.

"Mark Cooper knows what I'm about, I love a challenge and a fight.

“The competition at the back now keeps everyone on their toes and with competition, people are going to push each other.

“From an outsider, it is a small football club but it’s got a big heart and a lot of passion and I am buzzing to be part of it.”

The 25-year-old came through the academy system at Meadow Lane, making his debut in January 2012 following a loan spell with Barrow at the start of the 2011/12 campaign.

He ended that season on loan at Darlington, where he made nine appearances, scoring once, before working his way into the Notts County first team the following season.

Hollis was a near ever present during the 2014/15 campaign, making 47 appearances in all competitions and went on to make 118 league appearances for the Nottinghamshire side, scoring nine goals.

Cooper will reunite with the centre-back having had him in his squad during his time in Nottingham at the end of the 2016 season and says he knows what he is getting from the left-footed defender.

“I know Haydn from Notts County, he’s a big, powerful, left-sided centre-back and we’re just making sure we’re covering all our basis and we have enough players if we do get injuries,” he said.

“Haydn will be a good acquisition for us, he’s left footed, aggressive and a big lad as well.

“He has played in League One and played over 100 games for Notts County and is still only 25. He’s got a good pedigree and will do really well for us.”

Hollis becomes the third central defender to join the club in the January transfer window, an area Cooper knew he had to strengthen.

“It had to be an area we focussed on with the amount of goals we were conceding,” he added.

“We’ve still got another couple to get over the line. Everybody at the club has been working really hard to get these players in and we’re pleased to get Haydn over the line as well.”

He will be unavailable for this evening’s trip to Yeovil Town in the Checkatrade Trophy but will be free to feature against Swindon Town on Saturday.