BURY have signed former Barnsley and MK Dons defender Antony Kay on a two-year deal.

The centre-back becomes David Flitcroft's first signing of the summer after his release from Stadium MK at the end of the season.

The Shakers had the fourth-worst defence last term conceding conceding 73 goals – a statistic that Flitcroft says Kay will help set straight next season.

He said: “Antony is a player we have been pursuing for the last six months and I am absolutely delighted to reveal him as our first summer signing and have his signature on a contract for Bury FC.

“We have been working on securing his services since Christmas, he is a player of great character and has the leadership qualities required to reduce our goals conceded stats for next season.”

The defender, who can also play in central-midfield, has made over 500 career appearances and has experienced League One promotion on three occasions.

Kay went up via the play-offs with Barnsley in 2006 and then repeated the feat with Huddersfield six years later.

During the 2014/15 season Kay missed only one game through suspension as MK Dons were promoted to the Championship.

The 33-year-old made 34 appearances in the second tier last year as The Dons were relegated back to League One.

Kay will link up with his Shakers team-mates when they return to pre-season training on July 29.