Hartlepool United sign Durham University Student and ex_kinstonian keeper Ben Dudzinski

Craig Hignett has made his first signing after bringing in young keeper Ben Dudzinski.
Ben Zudzinski: New keeper. Picture courtesy of www.hartlepoolunited.co.ukBen Zudzinski: New keeper. Picture courtesy of www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk
Ben Zudzinski: New keeper. Picture courtesy of www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk

The 20-year-old Durham University student put pen to paper at Victoria Park yesterday following a successful trial period.

Dudzinski spent the latter weeks of the season training with Pools and after impressing Hignett, right-hand man Curtis Fleming and goalkeeping coach, Tony Caig, Dudzinski was offered a contract.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Londoner moved to the the North-East three years ago to study for a sports science degree. He has played semi-professionally for Kingstonian while playing for Tow Law Town, Ashington and Durham City since relocating in the region and has also been a regular for the University team.

“Ben has been training with us for a couple of months now,” said Hignett. “He’s played at Uni and we’ve seen him play and Tony has watched him too and been really impressed.

“Ben’s not trained full-time before and he’s come on unbelievably. We felt he was right as our number three behind Trevor Carson and Adam Bartlett.”

Dudzinski fills the void left by Peter Denton who was released by Pools last week.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Denton was on the bench for the first 13 games but did not make a league Two appearance.

“Peter has had a tough year with injury etc,” said Hignett. “He wasn’t quite up to it, we felt, and we needed a third keeper. Ben fits that bill – he’s ambitious, he wants to learn, he’s the right character.

“He works hard in training every day and we decided to give him a chance.”