Gateshead land Hartlepool United defender
Gateshead have today clinched the signing of highly rated central defender Ben Clark following his surprise release from Coca-Cola League One club Hartlepool United.
Clark made 179 appearances for Pools in six years having started his career at Sunderland where he made nine starts for the Black Cats.
The 27 year old has signed a pre-contract agreement with Gateshead as he is contracted to Hartlepool until the end of the month.
Clark will then put pen to paper on a two-year deal and has no qualms about dropping into non-league football for the first time.
"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," said Clark.
"It took just a couple of hours to sort everything out and I am delighted to link up with Gateshead and help the club to progress.
"I was taken aback with how good the facilities are at the International Stadium and with a new stadium on the horizon Gateshead is a club on the up.
"I have taken a significant pay cut but money was never the main issue. I didn't enjoy my last season at Hartlepool where I missed most of the first half of the season through injury.
"I had always been a regular at Victoria Park and at the end of the day I just want to play football week in week out."
Clark had to wait until the 1st December to play his first game last season, a 3-2 defeat at Carlisle, and he also featured in big games in 2010 against Leeds United, Southampton and Millwall.
While at Pools he played alongside Micky Nelson during the 2006/7 League Two promotion campaign that brought a record-breaking 25 clean sheets and an 18 game unbeaten run.
In 2008/9 he played 40 games for Pools and is keen to get a full season in again after injury problems hampered his progress last season.
Gateshead are believed to have beaten off the likes of Darlington for Clark's signature with Rotherham United earlier linked to the 6' 2" defender who can also play in midfield.
"There were a couple of Football League clubs and a couple in non-league interested but I was impressed with what I saw at Gateshead," added Clark.
"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.
"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."
"Hopefully improved results and performances will see the crowds at the International Stadium improve and I'm looking forward to getting started."
Clark captained England under 19s in the European championships in Norway eight years ago and he also played for his country at under 15 and 18 levels.
Manager Ian Bogie is delighted to bring an established League One player into his squad and has hailed Clark as a major signing for the club.
"The signing of Ben Clark is an indicator of the ambition at Gateshead and a real signal of intent," said Bogie.
"He is a big signing for the club, a player who has played at the top level with Sunderland and in League One and League Two at Hartlepool.
"He was a popular figure with the Pools fans and I am sure he will prove to be the same with the Heed Army.
"The five signings we have made so far are all major ones at this level and there are more signings to come.
"We have now got three good central defenders and I am sure Clark will prove to be a major influence on and off the pitch."
Bogie is also set to bring in former Newcastle United trainees Darren Lough and James Marwood, the son of former Arsenal, Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United winger Brian Marwood.
Lough will give cover at left back while winger Marwood was Newcastle Academy's under 18 leading scorer in 2007/8 and played a handful of games for Blyth Spartans last season.
