Hartlepool United have completed the signing of former Leeds United striker Billy Paynter after his release from fellow League Two side Carlisle United.
The 30-year-old target-man departed Cumbrian outfit Carlisle after one season, and now joins Pool’s boss Ronnie Moore’s crusade.
The ex-Swindon forward made 21 appearances for Carlisle last campaign, but only managed to notch up two goals.
Paynter started his career at Staffordshire outfit Port Vale, in which he scored 30 goals in 144 league games.He then went on to have spells at Hull City and Southend before settling in Wiltshire with Swindon Town.
He spent three years at the County Ground where he rediscovered his goal-scoring touch, netting 45 goals in 122 league appearances.
His form at Swindon earned him a big move to Leeds. But his time in Yorkshire was disappointing and only saw him score three league goals.
His Leeds nightmare ended with him leaving for Doncaster Rovers, and then onto Carlisle. But after just one season, Paynter swaps Brunton Park for Victoria Park.
Speaking to the Hartlepool United club website, manager Ronnie Moore said: "We've been looking for a target man for a long time so we're pleased to get Billy in. He's got good experience and done well at lower league level so he's exactly what we've been looking for."
Seventh heaven for Pools
Liverpool-born Paynter becomes Hartlepool’s seventh signing of the summer window after the arrivals of Rakish Bingham, Harry Worley, Carl Magnay, Rhys Oates and Jake Carroll from Mansfield Town, Stevenage, Grimsby Town, Barnsley and Huddersfield Town respectively.
The summer of upheaval continues for Ronnie Moore as he prepares his team for the upcoming campaign.
And Moore will be hoping that his new additions can propel his team from the basement of League Two, to a serious promotion charge.