Hartlepool United have completed the permanent signing of goalkeeper Nick Hayes from Southend United.

The 26-year-old, who was part of the Barnet side that were crowned National League champions last season, had fallen out of favour at Roots Hall and had been reduced to just seven appearances so far this term.

The former Ipswich goalkeeper had a brief spell on loan with Southend in 2023 before a successful stint with Solihull Moors, featuring 24 times as the Moors reached the finals of both the National League play-offs as well as the FA Trophy.

Having played 26 times for Barnet last season, Hayes sealed a permanent move to the Shrimpers in February 2025 and has gone on to make 28 appearances in Essex.

Pools have completed the signing of former Solihull Moors and Barnet goalkeeper Nick Hayes, who joins on a permanent deal from National League play-off chasers Southend. Picture by Frank Reid.

placeholder image — Pools have completed the signing of former Solihull Moors and Barnet goalkeeper Nick Hayes, who joins on a permanent deal from National League play-off chasers Southend. Picture by Frank Reid.

This season, however, Hayes had found himself playing second fiddle to Collin Andeng-Ndi, leading him to seek out first-team football elsewhere.

Pools have been on the hunt for a new goalkeeper in the wake of the sudden and unexpected departure of George Evans, who was abruptly recalled by parent-club Millwall despite only extending his loan at Victoria Park last week.

The youngster's departure has left Pools with goalkeeper-coach Adam Smith, who made a number of high-profile errors last season, as manager Nicky Featherstone's only senior option in-between the sticks ahead of this weekend's visit of Altrincham, the first home game since Landon Smith completed his takeover of the club on New Year's Eve.

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