Hartlepool United hand one-year deal to former Sheffield United midfielder
Hartlepool United have completed their fifth signing of the summer after handing a one-year deal to a former Sheffield United prospect.
New signing Owen Hampson has revealed Hartlepool United’s ambition was the driving force in his decision to move to Victoria Park.
Pools have already added Jordan Hugill, Jack Nolan, Brooklyn Ilunga and Corey McKeown to their squad since the end of last season and are working hard to add a goalkeeper and another forward to their ranks over the coming days. However, it is 21-year-old midfielder Hampson that has become their fifth new signing of what was always expected to be a hectic summer as head coach Lee Clark prepares for his first season in charge.
The twice-capped Wales Under-21 international joins Pools after he was released by Championship club Sheffield United and has put pen-to-paper on an initial one-year deal - but Pools do have an option to extend the agreement by a further 12 months. Hampson made three senior appearances during his time with the Blades after starting in Carabao Cup ties with Wrexham and Barnsley and coming on as a substitute in an FA Cup third round defeat against Cardiff City in January 2025.
The youngster has spent time on loan with Scottish club Dunfermline Athletic and Pools’ National League rivals Boston United over the last two years - and will now look to establish himself within Clark’s new-look squad after completing a move to Victoria Park.
The youngster has expressed his excitement over what lies ahead of has set his sights on ‘establishing himself in senior football’ after being given a brief glimpse into life in a first-team setup with the Blades.
‘Massive opportunity’
He told the club website: I’m delighted to be joining Hartlepool United and I can’t wait to get started. This is a massive opportunity for me at a really important stage of my career. I’ve learned a huge amount during my time at Manchester United and Sheffield United, but now I’m at the point where I want to establish myself in senior football, make my mark and show what I can do. I spoke to a lot of people before making my decision and everyone spoke incredibly highly of the football club. The more conversations I had, the more I heard about the exciting project that is being built here at Pools.
“Chris Maxwell spoke passionately about the direction the club is heading, the ambition for the future and where he believes this team can go and it was something I wanted to be part of. It was clear there is a real vision for the football club and, as a young player looking to establish myself in senior football, that really appealed to me. Hartlepool is a massive football club with a passionate fanbase and high expectations, and that’s exactly the type of environment I want to be part of. I’m hungry to prove myself, work hard every day, establish myself in senior football and do everything I can to help the club achieve its ambitions.”
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