Notts County have confirmed the signing of the former England striker Alan Smith as player-coach. The League One side’s manager, Shaun Derry, has handed Smith a one-year contract.

“Alan’s a player that I have admired for some time,” said Derry of Smith, the former Leeds United, Manchester United and Newcastle United player, who has been with MK Dons for the past two seasons.

“When I saw him play here for MK Dons back in March he was by far the best player on the pitch and I knew that he still had plenty to offer, so I’m delighted to be able to bring him on board as a player-coach,” Derry told the club’s official website.

“It’s not just what he will bring us on the pitch. It’s about the impact that he will have on the training ground and in the dressing room, because he is a strong character and epitomises the kind of player that I want to bring in this summer and he sets standards in everything he does.”