Michael Nelson is set to make a quick-fire return to Victoria Park after agreeing a move to Pools' League One rivals Norwich City.

The defender has agreed a two-year deal with the Canaries and will join on 1st July after turning down the offer of a new contract to stay at The Vic.

Nelson will link-up once again with former Pools Reserve Team boss Ian Butterworth who is Assistant to Bryan Gunn at Carrow Road.

There has been speculation over Nelson's future all summer but Norwich have now beaten off reported competition from several clubs to secure the 29-year-old's signature.

Nelson and his new team-mates are at Victoria Park in the first month of the new League One season when Pools host Norwich on Saturday 29^th August.

The former Bury defender joined Pools in the summer of 2003 and scored a sensational winning goal on his debut as Neale Cooper's side came from 3-1 down to win 4-3 at Peterborough.

He went on to be named Fans' Player of the Season in that campaign, and also won the Fans' and Players' Player of the Year awards during the promotion season of 2006/2007.

In total, Nelson featured 306 times for Pools, many as Captain, and stands 14^th in the all-time list of appearance-makers for the Club.

Everyone at Hartlepool United would like to thank Michael for his fantastic service to the Club and wish him all the very best for the future.