FOREST GREEN have completed their sixth January transfer window capture by landing former player Chris Stokes on deadline day.

The 28-year-old left-back has signed on a free transfer until the end of the season from fellow League Two side Stevenage and his arrival will negate the loss of captain Joseph Mills who is expected to be sidelined for six weeks.

A former Forest Green captain, Stokes made 133 league appearances for Rovers in the National League between 2010 and 2015, firstly under David Hockaday and latterly Andy Pennock. He departed Rovers before joining League One side Coventry City and has since also had a spell at Bury, getting promoted to League One with both clubs.

Now, back at The New Lawn, Stokes is looking for a third promotion in as many years as he looks at to settle some unfinished business.

Stokes said: “I was delighted when I first heard about it and driving in this evening, it felt like I did, driving in all those years ago.

“The club have gone up and up and up. It is what I had hoped to achieve when I first signed here, but it didn’t quite happen for the side I was part of.

“I’ve watched the progress from afar and now I’m back, hopefully we can kick on again.

“I’ve had a similar ride in my career, I’ve gone up and took the step to League One and enjoyed my time with Coventry and won trophies, which is what you want to achieve as a player.

“I’ve had back-to-back promotions out of this division and hopefully I can get a third. That is what I have come here for, to achieve things with Forest Green.

“I didn’t achieve it the first time, so now I’m coming back, I want to get promotion on my CV with this football club.”

Stokes played for Southampton and Bristol City at youth level before joining Bolton Wanderers at the age of 14.

In 2010, he joined Crewe Alexandra on loan, making his debut against Torquay United.

Having not been offered a contract extension by the Trotters, Stoked joined FGR on an initial non-contract basis in the November.

Stokes enjoyed his time at The New Lawn, voted Supporters’ Player of the Season for the 2011/12 campaign, and marked 100 appearances for Rovers in a win over Chester in August 2013.