Fleetwood sign Hartlepool United defender Michael Duckworth

The full-back was one of a number of players who were seemingly in limbo at Pools at the end of the season, midfielder Michael Woods, striker Rakish Bingham and defender Rob Jones falling into the same category.

But the 24-year year-old, an inspired signing by then boss Colin Cooper from Bradford Park Avenue in summer 2013, has called time at the Vic and has joined the Cod Army.

Duckworth suffered a troubled time with injury last season, kept out for a number of weeks with a stomach muscle strain before having a hernia op.

He was sidelined for almost four months, following the heavy December defeat at Portsmouth.

The Yorkshireman returned to the squad as a sub in the 5-2 romp at Morecambe before making his return in the unfamiliar left-back spot a few days later at Notts County for the injured Jake Carroll.

He played two further games, a 2-1 win against former club York, with his 18th and final appearance as a late sub in the 2-0 defeat at Oxford United.

In total, he played 78 times in three seasons at Pools, scoring three goals, the pick being a stunner in the final game of the 2014-15 Great Escape season at Carlisle, where he inspired a comeback from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at Brunton Park.

Duckworth tweeted: “I’d just like top thank everyone at Hartlepool for the last three years, they gave me the opportunity to play league football.

“I met some top lads along the way in that time.

“Thanks to the fans as well, they’ve been great since day one, but it’s time to start a new chapter in my football career.”