Hartlepool United goalkeeper Brad Young determined to make his mark after returning to boyhood club

The 22-year-old came through the ranks at Pools and signed his first professional contract under Craig Hignett before catching the eye of the Foxes, securing a big move in July 2021.

Pools boss Darren Sarll has been on the hunt for a goalkeeper all summer and finally got his man last week when Young returned to the North East.

"It's nice to be back," Young told BBC Radio Tees Sport.

"I came through the academy and Feaths (Nicky Featherstone) was at the club, Joe Grey was just coming through and Fergie (David Ferguson) joined the season we got promoted.

"Meeting the new lads, I think we've got a good side and we could be up there with a chance.

"I'm delighted to be back home."

Darren Sarll has placed a premium on signing players with links to the local area; Young follows in the footsteps of Luke Charman, Jack Hunter, Adam Campbell, Adam Smith and Gary Madine in returning to the North East this summer.

The Pools boss has been hoping that a string of homecomings will help the squad cope with the unique demands and expectations of supporters in the North East while also establishing a rapport between the players and the fans.

Young has a better understanding of the town than most, having gone to school in the area; his partner, who will be at the game on Saturday, is from Hartlepool and the goalkeeper's family are all Pools fans.

He said: "To get the opportunity to represent the club where I came through the academy would be great.

"I've got the connections and I want to do well for the club, I know how much it means to the fans and the town.

"To do well for the club would be very special to me."

Young has spent the last few years working with a string of top level goalkeepers, Premier League winner Kasper Schmeichel and Welsh international Danny Ward foremost among them, while he follows in the footsteps of Foxes stopper Jakub Stolarczyk, who made 17 appearances on loan at Pools.

"It's a very good life," he said.

"The level and quality of players is sky high, so to challenge yourself with them day in, day out stands you in good stead."

Young never actually played a first team game for Pools, although he did gain senior experience during loan spells with Blyth Spartans and Billingham Town.

He's spent much of the last few years progressing through Leciester's youth teams - he was on loan at Notts County for six months in the 2022/23 season, but found his opportunities limited - and is said to be held in high regard in the East Midlands.

The next step for Young, then, is to go out and gain experience of first team football, which meant a return to his hometown club made perfect sense for all parties.

He said: "Now I want to test myself and get as many games under my belt as possible at the highest level and, hopefully, kick on with my career."

Young could be set to make his debut this Saturday when Halifax, who are 14th in the National League table, visit the Prestige Group Stadium.

Joel Dixon, who started the first six games of the season, was forced off in the first half of last weekend's draw with Braintree, meaning Sarll might have to choose between Young or Adam Smith, who made his Pools debut after replacing the injured Dixon.

"I'm ready," Young said.

"It's unfortunate for Joel, it's never nice to see.

"I'm 100 per cent ready, I work hard and give my all.

"Ultimately it's the manager's decision at the end of the day but I'll give myself the best possible chance."

Young arrives with Pools 10th in the National League table and on a run of three games without a win but, with a run of favourable fixtures to come in the next week, he's hoping to help propel his side up the table.

As a local lad, Young will be well aware the supporters, largely starved of success in his lifetime, will accept nothing less than a promotion push this season - and the new recruit is confident Sarll's squad have what it takes.

He said: "With the size of this club in the National League, there's an expectation to do well every year.

"I think with the group that we've got, we've got a very good chance."