Ched Evans has been offered the chance of a return to football by Sky Bet League One club Chesterfield.

The Welsh forward, 27, has signed a 12-month contract with the Spireites, the club have said.

Evans will go on trial on October 4 charged with raping a woman in May 2011. He has pleaded not guilty.

His last game was for Sheffield United against Leyton Orient on April 14, 2012 in which he scored in a 3-1 win for the Blades at Bramall Lane.

Evans was jailed in 2012 for raping a 19-year-old woman but the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction in April.

Chesterfield chairman Dave Allen admitted it is not a decision the club came to lightly.

He told the club's official website: 'We are delighted to have secured the services of an outstanding footballer, who is now keen to get back to work and score goals.

'(Manager) Danny Wilson knows Ched very well, having previously managed him at Sheffield United. Chris Morgan, our first team coach, also speaks highly of him from their time together at Bramall Lane.

'Chesterfield Football Club have given a great deal of thought to this signing and following the court's decision, we are in no doubt that Ched Evans should be welcomed back into his profession as a professional footballer.'

Evans' former clubs include Norwich City, where he enjoyed a loan spell under Glenn Roeder from November 2007 to the summer of 2008.