SALISBURY City have agreed terms with Hartlepool United midfielder Darrell Clarke.

The 29-year-old former Mansfield Town player and Stockport County, Port Vale and Rochdale loanee, will become the club's third new signing of the summer and the seventh to turn professional for the newly promoted Blue Square Premier outfit.

Born on December 16, 1977, Clarke began his career with his home town club Mansfield, progressing through the club's youth scheme through to the first team. He made more than 150 league and cup appearances for The Stags, scoring 27 goals.

As he neared the end of his contract, a number of clubs expressed interest in him. He eventually chose Hartlepool, leaving on a free transfer because of the Bosman ruling, however, as he was still under 24, a nominal 80,000 fee was required.

Clarke played more than 100 games, scoring more than 30 goals including a hat-trick against Swansea City.

A knee injury during the 2004/05 season saw him sidelined. Although he made a full recovery, a new manager at the club meant appearances became limited. He later went out on loan to Stockport where he again suffered knee problems.

At the start of last season he was on loan at Port Vale, but ended the campaign by making more than a dozen appearances on loan at Rochdale.

City boss Nick Holmes said the Tommy Widdrington connection had again paid dividends in luring the player to Old Sarum.

"Tommy knows him well and he's also played in the same team as Jon Bass."

To date the Whites have recruited goalkeeper James Bittner from Woking and Hayes' midfielder Liam Feeney during a busy close season that has saw the Conference South play-off final winners take the first steps to becoming a full-time professional club.

City's Matt Tubbs, Robbie Matthews, Mike Fowler and Ryan Clarke have all penned full-time contracts.