Solano and Poole sign for Pools
By Charlie Summerbell
May 13 2011
Former Newcastle United midfield star Nobby Solano has signed for Hartlepool United in a sensational move at Victoria Park. And the arrival of the former Peru international (not many of those in League One) isn't the only move at the club as boss Mick Wadsworth keeps his promise to be busy once the League One season ended.
Solano was hugely popular in two spells at St James’s Park, the first lasting six years before he was sold to Aston Villa. But the Mags realised how influential he was only after he left, and bought him back before hs went on to West Ham, Leicester and, last season, Hully City.
He has turned down a new deal at Hull to sign for Pools, where he will be reunited with his former Mags coach Wadsworth.
At the age of 36, Solano is a veteran, but Wadsworth is hoping his experience and obvious class will help the squad. He is an adopted Geordie and is believed to still live in the area – that and the chance to work again with Wadsworth persuaded him to join Pools, where he could also be given a coaching role.
And he is joined by another new signing, as James Poole has agreed to a permanent witch from Manchester City following his successful three-moth loan with Pools during the summer.
With Sam Collins extending his contract and Neil Austin, Andy Monkhouse, James Brown and Adam Boyd all agreeing to stay at the Vic the signs appear to be good, though top scorer Antony Sweeney, Scott Flinders, Peter Hartley, Gary Liddle and Paul Murray are all still negotiating.
The club has exercised its option to keep Steve Haslam and Colin Larkin for a further year.
Wadsworth has already told Joe Gamble, Leon McSweeney, Denis Behan, Armann Bjornsson, Michael Mackay, Fabian Yantorno as well as youngsters Billy Blackford, Billy Greulich, Callum Martin and Dylan Purvis they are no longer required.
With ten going out, there’s plenty of room for more to come in and Wadsworth has already said he believes Pools fans will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of the newcomers.
He’s probably right.