By Eggy_Poolie
January 3 2007

Richie Barker has finally joined Hartlepool after months of speculation. He is the 3rd top scorer in the division with about 12 goals and the fee is thought to be in the region of about £80k

As the speculation around Victoria Park has summised for some time Ritchie Barker has signed for Hartlepool united and for many fans he will be seen as a welcome addition to the squad as a proven goal scorer in this division.

Now that Darrell Duffey has returned to Hull City, and Pools are hoping to extend the deal, it will be the job of Barker to take on the task of keeping Hartlepools current run of results on track and going by his previous form he is more than capable of doing so.

The deal is believed to be somewhere around the £80k mark. If this is true it will mean he is the record signing for Hartlepool

"I am delighted to have a player of his experience and calibre and we saw on Saturday why he is a handful for defenders." Danny Wilson

The 31 year old striker is expected to be named in the side that will face Shrewsbury on Saturday.