Former Wanderers midfielder Marcus Maddison has joined non-league side Darlington ahead of the upcoming season.

Maddison joined the Whites on loan last year but his time at the UniBol was cut short due to mental health reasons.

Earlier this year, the 28-year-old set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for a knee operation that would help him continue playing.

He has now made the decision to join the Quakers, who finished 13th in the National League North last season.

“Things didn’t go well at Bolton and, headspace, I just wasn’t in the right way to play football anymore,” he told the club’s YouTube channel.

“I think taking this year out, getting my injury sorted and things like that has made a huge difference to me mentally.

“I know what I want now and where I want to be. I want to be up north and I want to enjoy myself. I have got six or seven good years left in football so I’m going to use them.

Maddison – who also had spells with Peterborough, Charlton and Hull among others – made a handful of appearances for Spalding United last term prior to his operation.

He added: “Since my operation about five months ago, I have been in the gym, running and doing everything I can basically every single day.

“I knew this was my opportunity in the summer to find a club and get back to where I wanted to be. I didn’t have a job to go to so I would be in the gym most days, and I think I have come a long way.”

The midfielder will now share a dressing room with former Wanderers defender David Wheater, who joined the North East club back in February.

Manager Alun Armstrong said: “There have been discussions with a few players recently and this one came up.

“After speaking to the lads and what he wants to achieve and where he is in himself – he’s wanting to come back home - I just thought it was a no-brainer.

“(He has) unbelievable quality -everyone can see that. If we can get him anywhere near that level, we have got an unbelievable player on our hands.”