EXPERIENCED Bury midfielder Tom Soares has been sold to League One rivals AFC Wimbledon.

The former Crystal Palace and Stoke midfielder has signed for the Kingsmeadow outfit for an undisclosed fee, the Shakers have confirmed.

Soares, aged 30, made 187 appearances for the Shakers in four-and-a-half years at Gigg Lane after being brought in by Kevin Blackwell in November 2012.

He was unable to stop Bury being relegated from League One in his first season but became an integral part of the squad under David Flitcroft and played a key role in getting them promoted back up to the third tier.

Soares will forever be remembered for his goal in a 1-0 win at Tranmere in the final game of the 2014/15 season which secured League One status.

He scored 22 goals in total for the Shakers, the latest of which was a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser in Saturday's 3-3 draw at home to Walsall.

His departure has come as a shock, especially considering Soares's ability to play anywhere in the back-line as well as in the centre of midfield and on the wing.

Bury are blessed with a number of midfield options, however, with Kelvin Etuhu, Andrew Tutte, Jacob Mellis and Scott Burgess all capable of playing Soares's preferred position in the heart of the midfield.