Hartlepool United finally completed the signing of Evan Horwood last night, persuading the defender to join his hometown club ahead of Aberdeen.

Horwood, on loan at Darlington in 2006-07, has become the first new outfield signing of the summer at Victoria Park and he will play his first match as an official member of the squad against York City this afternoon.

The arrival of the left-back, who left Carlisle United in May, is the first sign of progress during a period of uncertainty at the club.

“He deserves his chance to prove himself with his hometown club,” said director of sport Chris Turner. “He has shown a great appetite for the game during his trial spell with us and has added some real attacking presence.”

Now Turner hopes to follow up Horwood’s signature with more in the next seven days.

Pools’ owners Increased Oil Recovery have been in discussions throughout the summer aimed at finding new investors to the club ahead of the start of the new season.

Neither chairman Ken Hodcroft nor anyone from IOR have issued any sort of statement on the constant claims the club has been in the process of being taken over, but they are thought to have been in negotiations of some sort.

However, fears have surfaced that Hartlepool’s hopes of a deal being sealed soon are in danger of collapsing, with Turner still waiting for the goahead to strengthen his squad.

Pools are due to travel to York, of the Blue Square Bet Premier, today and expect to field the two of the other three trialists.

Turner is aiming to follow up the acquisition of Horwood by landing Fabian Yantorno and Paul Murray, while striker Jon Macken also remains an option.

But with no word from the top on the club’s future, it remains unclear if Turner will be able to push through more signings – who are all free agents – before the trip to the League One newcomers Rochdale a week today.

Hartlepool’s only win during pre-season has arrived at South Shields, which was effectively a second-string side.

In the last week alone, Turner has witnessed his team thrashed by Leeds United, lose at Garforth Town and draw at Whitley Bay, increasing the pessimism among the fans.

Next week looks certain to be a pivotal week for Hartlepool, with Turner knowing he needs reinforcements if he is to stand a chance of improving on the last two seasons of final day battles to avoid relegation.