SCOTT Shearer insists he is more than ready to challenge for Oxford United’s No 1 shirt after becoming the club’s first signing of the summer.

The 36-year-old goalkeeper has agreed a one-year deal, with a further 12-month option, after being released by Sky Bet League Two side Mansfield Town.

Shearer has made more than 350 career appearances, including 52 in a two-year spell with the Stags.

He admits the move to United is a perfect fit with his family home in Marlow, but the Scot is fully aware he will have a far from easy ride.

His biggest task will be to attempt to displace Simon Eastwood, who played every minute of last season’s 62-game campaign.

Shearer is under no illusions he begins on the back foot, but is looking forward to pushing for a starting role.

He said: “Geography-wise the move is a necessity for me, because I’ve been a bit of a commuter for the last couple of years and it’s not good for a man my age with a young family.

“In terms of where the club wants to go ambition-wise, it fits with me.

“I’m a very ambitious person, I’ve had a lot of promotions, I want to achieve more and it’s given me a new challenge coming to Oxford.

“I understand Simon’s been very very good all season, so it’s going to challenge me to try to displace him.”

Eastwood’s consistently impressive performances saw him clinch the supporters and players’ player-of-the-year awards.

Shearer, whose previous clubs include Wycombe, Crawley and Rotherham, is good friends with United’s goalkeeping coach Wayne Brown and knew full well before he signed he would have his work cut out.

He said: “I know how good he (Eastwood) is.

“Wayne Brown speaks highly of him, he’s told me how well he’s done all season. But it gives me a little bit of a fire in my belly that I have something to achieve here.”

Shearer added: “I know I’m not starting, so I need to work hard to try to get there and that’s only going to be good for Simon as well.”

At 36, Shearer adds valuable experience to Michael Appleton’s squad and allows United’s younger goalkeepers to continue their development.

The U’s boss said: “Scott has vast experience and is still an excellent keeper.

“He knows the score. Easty is the No 1 and we have two talented lads here already in Jack Stevens and Manny Agboola.

“With Scott’s arrival it allows us to get those two out on loan and playing games.

“One of the things we talked about is adding a bit of experience to the dressing room, so hopefully he is the first of a few older heads who will be really beneficial to the group as a whole.”