HARTLEPOOL United have completed a deal for attacking midfielder Callum Cooke who joins the club permantently after fending off competition for his signature. 

Cooke had a number of clubs from League One and Two competing for his signature but has agreed terms and was at the Suit Direct Stadium earlier today to sign a two-year deal.

The 25-year-old, who will wear the number ten shirt next season, joins the club after being released by League Two side Bradford City. He becomes the second signing for Pools in a week after the addition of former Celtic left-back Broady Paterson.

Cooke is a former academy graduate at Middlesbrough but never managed to make a first-team appearance. After loan spells with Crewe Alexandra and Blackpool, he left the club on a free transfer to join Peterborough United in in 2018.

After limited game time with Posh, Cooke was sent out on loan to the Bantams in 2019 where he featured 27 times in all competitions before making the switch permanent in the following summer. After 112 appearances and six goals, he left Valley Parade this summer upon the expiration of his contract.

Pools manager Paul Hartley continues to make progress on the transfer front after the recent exits of Timi Odusina, Omar Bogle and Neill Byrne last week. He remains focussed on signing forwards with the club short on attacking options heading into next season.

They are in friendly action on Saturday when they face Northern League side Billingham Synthonia.