OLLIE Palmer has left Havant & Waterlooville to join League Two side Mansfield Town on a two-year deal.

Palmer shared the Conference South golden boot award last season with Salisbury City’s ex-Saint Jamie White, capturing the attention of several professional clubs.

Hawks boss Lee Bradbury explained:“Mansfield Town came in for Ollie and, with various other clubs also knocking on the door, we as a club felt it was the right deal for both Ollie and the club. Iit would have been unfair for us to stand in his way.

“As the manager of this club it is bitter-sweet for me to lose Ollie from the team, if I am being honest.

"To lose someone of Ollie’s stature at this stage of the pre-season is difficult. The goals he scored and his general contribution to the team will be hard to replace.

"But at the same time I am very pleased for him, he is a great lad, who has worked very hard for this opportunity.

“Ollie has always dreamed of being a professional footballer and will go to Mansfield Town to continue his rise up the football ladder.

"He goes with the clubs full blessing and we hope it is the start of a long and distinguished career in the professional game.”