WANDERERS have snapped up goalkeeper Mark Howard on a free transfer.

The 29-year-old started last season as Sheffield United’s first-choice stopper and made more than 100 appearances at Bramall Lane.

Southwark-born Howard started his career at Arsenal and has also represented Cardiff City, St Mirren, Aberdeen and Blackpool.

Howard holds the club record at Sheffield United for consecutive clean sheets, shutting out the opposition on eight consecutive occasions from February to March 2014.

He was virtually ever-present the following season where he helped the Blades reach the semi-final of the Capital One Cup and into the play-offs.

Phil Parkinson had been on the lookout for a goalkeeper with considerable experience at League One level to challenge Ben Amos this season. And in Howard the Wanderers boss believes he has found the right man.

“I’m really pleased to get Mark on board,” he told The Bolton News. “He was a big part of Sheffield United’s cup runs a couple of years ago and he featured when they got to the play-offs too.

“He’s the type we have been looking for, so I think he’ll do a good job for us.”