PHASE one of Bury’s summer transfer dealings looks to be over after former Barnsley midfielder Jacob Mellis was unveiled as their fourth senior signing since winning promotion to League One.

Manager David Flitcroft last month outlined “four of five core signings” he wanted to add to his squad before launching into “phase two” of his recruitment plan.

“Once we get those players in we feel we need then it is on to phase two, when we will be trying to find players who maybe bring something a little bit different to the squad,” he said.

“I want to start pre-season with a core of 18 outfield players, then we will see what comes available on the market.

“If someone becomes available we feel adds something to the squad then we will act on it, but we will be under no pressure to do business.”

Mellis, aged 24, who scored 10 goals in 81 appearances while working with Flitcroft during his time as Barnsley boss, signed a two-year deal at Bury on Tuesday after joining on a free transfer following his release from Blackpool.

He follows the arrivals of former Blackpool defender Peter Clarke and strikers Leon Clarke and Tom Pope.

The Shakers manager is also understood to be keen to land Charlton goalkeeper Nick Pope, although that chase is now expected to be a prolonged one as the Addicks management take a closer look at the stopper during pre-season.

But the building blocks Flitcroft felt were needed to make Bury competitive in the third tier are now in place. Mellis was seen as the final piece of the jigsaw, brought in as a replacement for Nicky Adams following his move to Northampton.