Bakary (pictured) is an international defender who made his full national team debut for Benin in March 2017 against Mauritania.

Having started his career as an attacking player, he signed for Chelsea before Premier League rivals Southampton swooped and converted him to a defensive player during his four years with the Saints.

He made plenty of appearances for the under-23s before his release in the 2017/18 season.

A number of trials with the likes of Crystal Palace and Colchester United followed and the move to the Stags came about through the work of Southampton’s player care team and their commitment to supporting released players.

Stags manager Louis Langdown explains, ‘Southampton are providing guidance off the field for Richard and AFC Totton are giving him the platform to play football again. It’s a combined effort to support a young man in getting back playing. He met his teammates on Tuesday and instantly you can see he’s a humble man who loves football and wants to give his best efforts.”

Langdown has also signed former midfielder Pip Nolan, who was with the Stags in 2017/18 after joining from Team Solent.

Previously with Folland Sports and Salisbury, he left Totton to join Blackfield & Langley where he was a part of their Southern Division One South title-winning side last season.