Wednesday 25 June 2014 16:45, UK
Hartlepool manager Colin Cooper has expressed his delight after sealing his first summer signing.
Pools secured former Middlesbrough defender Matthew Bates' signature after his release from Bristol City and the defender's arrival pleases Cooper, who previously worked with the 27-year-old at Boro. Cooper told the club's official website: "I can't begin to explain how pleased I am that he's chosen to come and sign. "Obviously it's no secret that we had Christian Burgess on loan and Sam Collins played a big part last season so we needed centre-halves and Matthew is as good as it gets. "I'm looking for players who want to come and join something good here and the plus for me is that at the end of last season, Matthew phoned me to ask about my plans for next year. "I've known him since he was 15 and seen him play in some high-profile games in the past. I think everyone understands the tough time he's had with injuries but hopefully that's all behind him now. "What I see is someone who is big, strong and aggressive with good technical ability, organisational skills and leadership qualities - I would say we've got very lucky to get him."
