DONE DEAL: Hartlepool complete signing of ex-QPR and Brentford midfielder Josh Laurent on a free

It follows the midfielder’s release from Brentford and he joins Luke James as the new face in the Pools squad.

The 6ft 2ins schemer came through the ranks at Wycombe Wanderers where he penned a scholarship deal in 2011 and played alongside current Pools loan star Jake Gray.

His talent was spotted by Queens Park Rangers and he joined the Academy at Loftus Road in 2012 where he became a regular in their successful Youth Team to earn a professional deal in at the end of his first season.

Laurent continued to play in Rangers’ Development side and gained some senior experience from a two-month loan spell at Braintree Town in 2014 before joining Brentford on a permanent deal last January.

The 20-year-old made his Bees debut in the Capital One Cup against Oxford United at the start of 2015/16 before spending time on loan with Newport County where he made four appearances.

A Pools statement read: "Comfortable in a defensive or advanced central midfield role, the powerful and athletic Laurent has also played several times in the centre of defence for The Bees’ Development side this season."

Laurent will link-up with his new team-mates for the first time tomorrow morning at Maiden Castle, in Durham,.

He will go straight into contention for the weekend trip to Notts County.