Barnsley have finally admitted they are to sign Barry Conlon on a free transfer this summer. Although Quakers have long since been resigned to losing Conlon the Tykes had remained tight-lipped on the deal which will see the Dubliner move to Oakwell on a two-year deal that Darlington couldn't match financially.

Over the weekend Barnsley released the following statement: "We can confirm that striker Barry Conlon has agreed to join the club.

"He will move to Oakwell as a free agent later this summer.

"Reds chairman Peter Ridsdale concluded discussions with Darlington officials on Friday to agree the move and Dave Hodgson has accepted that his leading goalscorer will be playing for Barnsley next season."

Meanwhile, former Quaker Paul Heckingbottom has joined Conlon in Division Two having linked up with ex-Hartlepool United boss Chris Turner who has moved to take the left-back to Sheffield Wednesday.

Since leaving Darlington in 2002 the 26-year-old has spent two years in the First Division - the last being with Bradford City which followed 12 months at Norwich City who signed the Barnsley-born left back on a free from the Quakers.

He was in the Darlington side that beat Turner's Pool on the way to a Third Division play-off final in 2000 and was last year voted Bradford's Player of the Year as they were relegated to Division Two.

"This a good move for me," he said. "It's a massive club; if anyone is going to do well in this division, it's Sheffield Wednesday, with the support they've got, and the size of the club.

"It was disappointing when we got relegated at Bradford. I was desperate to stay in the First Division; this is my chance to get back in there."

Owls boss Turner, who left Pool for Wednesday in November 2002, said: "I've seen Paul play for a number of years. His record last season shows his consistency and fitness; his signing is a step forward for us, in the left -back position."

* Hartlepool United's first new signing for next season admits he can't wait to try his luck in English football, writes Nick Loughlin.

Clyde skipper Jack Ross will link up with Pool when Neale Cooper's squad return from pre-season training in July. He leaves Clyde after his team missed out on promotion to the Scottish Premier League by a single point.

And Ross, a fans' favourite in Scotland, admitted: "It hasn't really sunk in that I'm leaving yet. When I report in for pre-season training, it will probably hit me that I'm at a different club.

"I'm not going down there to think that this is my level. Hopefully I can help them go up next year and I can test myself in the First Division.

"I'm certainly not going down there to get into a comfort zone."

Ross, who agreed the move after travelling to watch Pool beat Chesterfield at Victoria Park in March, added: "They have been doing brilliantly since I signed and Neale is delighted with their progress.

"He was aware of me just from playing against me at Ross County, but I didn't know him before now. When I went down there, I was initially impressed, and also surprised, by the facilities they have for a club at that level.

"I think the crowds, attendances and sponsorship enables clubs to compete on a better financial level compared to Scotland, but that wasn't the reason for going.

"I've always fancied going to England to see what the game's like down there. It's a wee bit different and I can't wait to get going now."

Ross will make a swift return North of the border in pre-season. Pool will visit Cooper's old club Ross County on Thursday, July 15 and are believed to be playing Inverness Caledonian Thistle two days later.

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