Craig Hignett has clinched the signing of one of his top summer transfer targets after Michael Raynes put pen to paper on a permanent contract at The Super 6 Stadium.
The experienced centre-back made three solid appearances for Pools whilst on loan with the Club from Crewe Alexandra last season before injury cut short his stay in the North East.
However, the 31-year-old is back to fitness and a free agent following his release from The Alexandra Stadium and Pools boss Hignett has been quick to reignite his interest in the no-nonsense defender.
Pools have fought off competition from several other clubs to secure the signature of Raynes, who has made over 400 senior appearances during a career which began with Stockport County.
Since his Edgeley Park days, the dominating defender has also represented Scunthorpe United, Rotherham United, Oxford United, Mansfield Town and Carlisle United before joining Crewe in 2017.
Raynes had various options this summer but Hignett and Chief Executive Mark Maguire met with him personally to convince him that his future lay back at Pools.
It marks another good piece of business for the Club, following the acquisition of Nicke Kabamba on a permanent deal and extended contracts agreed with Myles Anderson, Ryan Donaldson and Gavan Holohan.