Stephen Dawson returns to Bury

Bury have made Scunthorpe skipper Stephen Dawson their third signing of the summer.

Dawson, 31, has signed a three-year deal at Gigg Lane after Scunthorpe lost to Millwall and missed out on the Sky Bet League One play-off final.

"This is a huge signing for us," manager Lee Clark told the official Bury website.

"Stephen is a player that I have tried to entice at previous clubs, but I have finally got my man.

"Bury Football Club have a returning hero and I know that he was a very popular player for the club during his previous spell.

"He was the driving force for Scunthorpe last season and captained them into the play-offs.

"This signing is another statement of intent of what we are trying to do.

"I know I have a player with us that will police the dressing room for me, and he won't need any encouragement to do that.

"Stephen is a winner, I've quickly realised that since meeting him.

"He is over the 30 years of age mark, which people seem to think it's coming to the end but, in the modern game, it means nothing because he is another player that has looked after himself."

Dublin-born Dawson spent two years at Bury earlier in his career, making 97 appearances for the Shakers between 2008 and 2010.

The midfielder has also played for Mansfield, Leyton Orient, Barnsley, Rotherham and Scunthorpe, and is just short of 500 career appearances.

Bury finished only point above the League One relegation zone in 19th place, and Clark has already moved quickly to strengthen the squad by signing striker Jermaine Beckford and full-back Phil Edwards.