Hartlepool United is delighted to confirm the signing of Terry Bondo following the expiry of his contract with Blackpool.
The 19-year-old centre-forward has agreed a one-year contract at Victoria Park until June 2027, with the Club holding an option to extend the agreement by a further year through to June 2028. The deal is subject to the relevant approvals.
A product of the academy pathways at Oldham Athletic and Blackpool, the striker progressed into senior football during the 2024/25 season and went on to make 11 first-team appearances for the Seasiders across League One, FA Cup and the EFL Trophy.
Bondo gained valuable experience through loan spells with Matlock Town, Marine and King’s Lynn Town, accumulating 26 senior appearances and six goals across the Northern Premier League and National League North.
His most productive spell came with King’s Lynn Town following his arrival in February 2026, where he scored four goals in 16 appearances and made an immediate impact by finding the net on his debut against Radcliffe.
Standing at 6ft 3in, Bondo combines physical presence, athleticism and mobility, and arrives at Victoria Park having already accumulated 37 senior appearances before his 20th birthday.
Speaking after agreeing terms with Hartlepool United, Terry Bondo said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Pools. As soon as the opportunity came up, I felt this was the right step for me.
“This is a huge football club with a proud history, passionate supporters and real ambition for the future. When I looked at what is being built here and the direction the Club is heading in, it was something I wanted to be part of.
“I’m still at the beginning of my career and I know there’s a lot more to come from me. My focus now is on working hard, learning every day and making the most of the opportunity ahead of me.
“Working under a manager like Lee Clark was a big attraction. He has achieved a lot in the game and has a strong reputation for helping players improve and fulfil their potential. As a young player, that’s something you really value.
“You also look at the quality already in the dressing room. Jordan Hugill has had an outstanding career, while Jack Nolan is a player who has shown what it takes to be successful at this level. Being around players like that every day can only help me and hopefully I can learn as much as possible from them.
“At the same time, I know it’s up to me to earn my opportunities and show what I can do. I’m hungry to improve, contribute to the team and make a positive impact whenever I’m called upon.
“I can’t wait to get started and play in front of the supporters. From everything I’ve heard, the backing this Club receives is incredible and I’m looking forward to experiencing that for myself.”
Bondo becomes the latest addition to Lee Clark’s squad with pre-season training now underway, as preparations for the 2026/27 National League campaign continue to gather momentum at Victoria Park.
The striker joins Jordan Hugill, Jack Nolan, Owen Hampson, Chris Popov, Will Harris, Charlie Penman, Brooklyn Ilunga and Corey McKeown among the Club’s summer arrivals.
Lee Clark, First Team Head Coach at Hartlepool United, said: “Terry is a player we’re delighted to bring to Pools.
“He’s still only 19, but he already possesses a lot of qualities that excite us. He has an excellent physical profile, genuine pace and a real presence about him.
“He has benefited from a strong football education and already gained valuable senior experience, which has given him an excellent platform to build on.
“As a centre-forward, he has the attributes to cause defenders problems in a number of different ways. He can stretch teams with his movement, compete physically and provide a real threat in the air, which gives us options in the attacking areas.
“There is still a huge amount of potential to come from Terry, but we also believe he is capable of making an impact for us now.
“He arrives here having already gained valuable experience in senior football, a strong desire to keep progressing and the mentality to compete for opportunities within the squad.
“We’re delighted to welcome him to the football club and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can achieve in a Pools shirt.”
Chris Maxwell, Head of Football Operations at Bromby & Partners, said: “Terry is a player we identified as someone who fits the profile of the squad we are continuing to build at Pools.
“At 19, he has already benefited from an excellent football education and gained valuable experience in senior football, but what excites us most is how much more we believe there is to come from him.
“Adam Clayton had worked closely with Terry during his time at Matlock Town and spoke very highly of him. That gave us valuable insight into his character and mentality, while our own work on the player reinforced our belief that he would be a strong fit for Pools.
“When you look at his pace, athleticism, physical presence and aerial ability, it’s easy to see why we believe so strongly in his potential.He possesses attributes that can make him a real handful for defenders and provide a strong platform for further development.
“We want to bring in players who can help us now while also having the potential to develop with the football club. Terry is an excellent example of that approach.
“We believe he has a very high ceiling and we’re excited to see what he can achieve in a Hartlepool United shirt.”
