Hoult covered for Kevin Pilkington last season (Getty Images)

Notts County have made out-of-contract Stoke goalkeeper Russell Hoult their fifth summer signing after he penned a two-year contract.

The 35-year-old ended last season on loan at Meadow Lane, but returns on a permanent basis to provide competition to fellow goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington.

Hoult kept seven clean sheets in 14 Magpies games last season, helping to keep Notts in the Football League.

He said: "The fans made my mind up for me. I didn't want to go anywhere else."