Craig Hignett reckons Jason Kennedy will be a crucial player for Pools in the coming season after the experienced midfielder put pen to paper on a contract with the Club on Thursday afternoon.
Kennedy has been in training with Pools for the entire warm-up campaign following his departure from Carlisle United at the end of last term.
And Pools boss Hignett has revealed that it wasn't just his promising displays in each of the five friendlies so far that have won the former Middlesbrough youngster a contract.
Having fought back from a troublesome back injury which kept him sidelined for the majority of the 2017/18 campaign, Kennedy has rediscovered his passion for the game and Hignett is certain he will prove an asset on and off the pitch.
“We're really pleased to get the deal done,” Hignett admitted.
“We obviously have a lot of competition in the squad but Jason improves us further.
“He's been here all pre-season, done all the work with us and more than proved his fitness – and I think you can see from the games he's played what he brings to us.
“We've had him here with a view to him signing but after the injury he's had you want to see that he's back to what he was and what he can be.
“He knows what he's doing, he's an experienced pro and he still has a lot to offer because he can get about the pitch and I am sure he will pop up with some vital goals for us throughout the season.
“The Carlisle fans love him and they were disappointed to see him go so he will be vitally important for us, not only with what he does on the pitch but also for how he carries himself away from it and what a good professional he is.
“He does things properly and he won't let us down; he a Mr Dependable and you know what you're going to get from him week in and week out so we're delighted he's joining us.”