Mansfield bag Diamonds' Woodhouse

Woodhouse is an undefeated professional welterweight boxer

Mansfield Town have signed Rushden & Diamonds midfielder Curtis Woodhouse until the end of the season.

The ex-Sheffield United and Birmingham player took a break from football in 2006 to become a professional boxer but now combines the two careers.

The 28-year-old is new manager David Holdsworth's first signing for Stags.

Woodhouse told BBC Radio Nottingham: "It's the first time in a while I've been excited about coming to a new club - I get stuck in and I'll give 110%."

The unbeaten welterweight boxer will be training for both sports while at Field Mill.

He said: "It is difficult and tiring but I've had nine fights and won all of them, so the proof is in the pudding.

"I try and do most of my boxing training early on in the week, and the closer it gets to a football game on a Saturday I'll ease off, so I'm fresh for the game."

Woodhouse had said last month that he would retire from football in early 2009 to concentrate on boxing.

Meanwhile, Mansfield's on-loan goalkeeper Paddy Gamble has now returned to Nottingham Forest after a five-month spell at Field Mill.

The 20-year-old made 28 appearances for the Stags during his stay.