Clark is moving into non-league football for the first time

Gateshead have signed defender Ben Clark following his release by Hartlepool United.

Clark has a pre-contract agreement which will see him formally sign a two-year deal at the end of the month.

He said: "Both the manager and chairman at Gateshead are very ambitious and, while I had a few other options, it just felt right to join Gateshead.

"I was taken aback with how good the facilities are. With a new stadium on the horizon Gateshead is on the up."

Clark has played in the Championship with Sunderland and in League One and League Two with Hartlepool. "I am still only 27 and there is no reason why I can't play in the Football League again - if that happens to be with Gateshead then that would be a major plus," he said.

It would be great if we could have another Football League club in the North East Ben Clark

"The manager has already made some good signings. There is no reason why we can't kick on now that the club has become full-time.

"It would be great if we could have another Football League club in the North East."

Meanwhile Gateshead manager Ian Bogie has indicated that he will add to his squad before the new season.

"The five signings we have made so far are all major ones at this level and there are more signings to come," he said.

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