Hartlepool United is delighted to confirm the signing of goalkeeper Max Merrick on a season-long loan from Chelsea, subject to the relevant registration approvals.
The 20-year-old England Under-20 international arrives at Victoria Park after progressing through Chelsea’s renowned Academy to establish himself as a regular member of the club’s Under-21 side.
Having joined the Blues at Under-13 level, Merrick has progressed through every age group at Cobham and has made nearly 50 appearances across Premier League 2, the Premier League International Cup, Premier League 2 Play-Offs and the EFL Trophy, captaining the Under-21 side on numerous occasions.
His performances have also seen him become part of Chelsea’s senior environment, earning places in UEFA Champions League matchday squads and being named on the bench during the club’s successful UEFA Conference League campaign.
Earlier this year, Merrick signed a new long-term contract with Chelsea until the summer of 2028.
The goalkeeper has also gained valuable senior experience through loan spells with Hanwell Town and National League South side Hampton & Richmond Borough, where he made 19 league appearances and kept four clean sheets during the second half of the 2024/25 season.
On the international stage, Merrick is an England youth international and made his Under-20 debut in October 2025.
Speaking after completing his season-long loan move to Hartlepool United, Merrick said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Pools and I can’t wait to get started.
“I’ve been at Chelsea since I was 12 and it’s been an incredible place to develop. I’ve learned so much from the coaches and the players around me, but I feel like I’m ready for the next step now. Playing senior football regularly is where I want to be and, as soon as I heard about the opportunity to come here, I knew it was one I wanted to take.
“When I first spoke to Chris Maxwell and then Lee Clark, I came away knowing this was the right move for me. They were really clear about what they wanted from me and why they felt this was the right place for me to keep improving. That gave me a lot of confidence.
“Pools is a huge football club with fantastic supporters and I’m looking forward to getting started. I’ll work as hard as I can every day, compete for my place and do everything I can to help the team have a successful season.”
Merrick becomes the latest addition to Lee Clark’s squad as preparations continue for the 2026/27 National League campaign.
He joins fellow summer arrivals Jordan Hugill, Jack Nolan, Owen Hampson, Chris Popov, Will Harris, Charlie Penman, Brooklyn Ilunga, Corey McKeown, Terry Bondo, Neo Eccleston, Liam Gibson and Cameron John at Victoria Park ahead of the new season.
Lee Clark, First Team Head Coach at Hartlepool United, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Max to the club. He’s a young goalkeeper with outstanding potential who’s come through one of the best academy systems in the country and we believe this is the right stage of his career to take the next step into senior football.
“He’s already had a taste of the men’s game during his spell at Hampton & Richmond and that experience will stand him in good stead. He’s athletic, he’s comfortable with the ball, he commands his area well and, just as importantly, he’s got a real willingness to learn.
“We believe Pools is the right environment for Max to continue his development. He’ll be working every day with Adam Smith, who has a wealth of experience both as a player and as a coach, and we’re confident he’ll benefit enormously from that while continuing to develop his own game.
“We’re excited to have Max with us. He’s got a bright future ahead of him and we’re looking forward to helping him continue his development while making a positive contribution to the team throughout the season.”
Chris Maxwell, Head of Football Operations at Bromby & Partners, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Max to Pools. As soon as the opportunity arose to bring him to the club, it was one we wanted to pursue. Goalkeepers with his pedigree and potential don’t become available very often, so we’re pleased we’ve been able to make it happen.
“Chelsea have done an outstanding job with Max’s development and he’s already gained valuable experience in senior football. We believe Hartlepool United is the right place for him to continue his progress, working alongside Lee Clark, Adam Smith and the rest of the staff in a competitive first-team environment.
“Max wanted to continue playing senior football and we believed Pools could offer him exactly the right platform to do that. Just as importantly, we believed he was the right fit for our football club.
“We’re grateful to Chelsea for placing their trust in us and we’d like to thank everyone involved for their support throughout the process. Max has a bright future ahead of him, but he’s joining us because we believe he has the quality, character and mentality to make a real contribution to the squad this season. We’re looking forward to working with him.”
