Jordan Hugill has revealed the key factor behind his return to Hartlepool United.

Jordan Hugill has revealed a key factor behind his return to Hartlepool United was the chance to work under Lee Clark again.

Clark was appointed head coach at The Vic last month following a short spell as Rotherham United boss at the end of last season, and while at the relegated League One side he worked alongside Hugill. The former Pools loanee has penned a one-year deal and the club has an option for a further year. Hugill has made more than 450 senior appearances, scored 94 career goals and recorded more than 300 Championship appearances and played in the Premier League.

Hugill has opened up about his short but positive relationship with Clark, adding it was a key factor for his return to Pools. The striker said: “When he came in, I was injured, but from the first second I wanted to get back and play for him. We were honest with each other more than anything and I think that created a good mutual respect. He was brilliant and when I saw he’d signed here as head coach, it was another big part of me wanting to come.”

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Hugill is the first summer signing and follows the new deals signed by Luke Charman and Jack Hunter.

“I can offer a lot of leadership, experience and quality,” said Hugill, when reflecting on what he can offer Pools this season. “I still feel as though I’ve got a hell of a lot to offer football, which is why I’m still playing. “It’s not that I need to play football, I want to play football. This is something I’ve sought out and put myself forward for because I still want to do this.”

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Boss Clark said: "Having worked closely with him at Rotherham, I know exactly what he will bring to our squad. His quality as a player is there for everyone to see, but what impressed me most was his professionalism, his mentality and his desire to win.

"He's a leader, a strong character and somebody who understands what it takes to be successful. The results from his medical and physical testing were outstanding, which tells you everything you need to know about how he looks after himself and how determined he remains to achieve things in the game.”

Middlesbrough-born Hugill enjoyed a short loan spell at Pools back in 2015 during the Great Escape season under Ronnie Moore, his four goals in eight appearances helped secure the club's Football League status.

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