MK Dons have moved quickly to snap up out of contract Crewe defender Dan Woodards on a free transfer.

The 25-year-old right back is a replacement for Carl Regan, who left stadium:mk for League One rivals Bristol Rovers on Friday.

Regan was unhappy with the club's offer of a one-year deal and decided to leave when offered a two-year deal at the Memorial Stadium.

Boss Roberto Di Matteo has wasted no time in acting and former Chelsea trainee defender Woodards was signed yesterday (Monday).

The former Exeter man was only too happy to make the move, despite reported interest from Norwich City, Doncaster and Colchester.

"I'm excited to be joining the club and relishing the chance to help the team win promotion to the Championship," he said.

"I definitely think promotion is a realistic ambition. I thought the team should have done it last season but everyone's still got the belief and the hunger for it.

Woodards says the set-up at the club was important in his decision to sign a two-year deal at stadium:mk.

"It's a nice stadium, I've seen the fans here and they're a good crowd, they seem to be behind the team and that helps.

"I spoke to a few people before signing with the club and they all said good things. I want to be a part of that."

The signing will be a welcome relief to Dons fans after Regan's departure had left Dons with just 11 senior professionals on the books for next season. The club are still in talks with Danny Swailes and Mark Wright.

Regan, leaving after only one and a half seasons with the Dons, claimed he moved to the Pirates because of their ambition.

"Last season was a great one at MK Dons, but I feel Bristol Rovers have a chance of making the play-offs and maybe getting promotion," he said.

"The Scunthorpe game was a tight one and just about anything can happen when it goes all the way to penalties like that.

"The result was disappointing, but now I have to pick myself up and go again.

"I'm excited about joining the club and think we can push on. I have played against them plenty of times and they are always a good footballing side.

"They moved the ball round well when I played against them on Easter Monday, although MK Dons ended up winning that one.

"Consistency is the key and if we can be consistent over the whole season we have a chance."