‘Oh my word!’ – Hartlepool excite fans and boost promotion hopes with superb signing in Will Harris from FC Halifax Town.
✍️ Harris is Hartlepool!
We’re delighted to confirm the signing of Will Harris from FC Halifax Town 👊
— Hartlepool United FC (@Official_HUFC) June 27, 2026
The club said in a statement on their website: Hartlepool United is delighted to confirm the signing of Will Harris from FC Halifax Town.
The 25-year-old striker has agreed a two-year contract at Victoria Park until June 2028, with the Club holding an option to extend the agreement by a further year through to June 2029. The deal is subject to the relevant approvals.
The South Shields-born forward arrives following an outstanding campaign with Halifax, scoring 22 goals in 43 National League appearances as the Shaymen secured a place in the National League play-offs.
His performances attracted significant interest from clubs across the National League and Football League before he completed his move to Victoria Park.
Harris progressed through the youth systems at Hebburn Town and Burnley before signing his first professional contract with the Premier League club.
Following senior loan spells with Nelson, Colne and Warrington Town, he joined Sunderland in September 2020, making his professional debut in the EFL Trophy before going on to make three League One appearances for the Black Cats.
A loan spell with Barrow provided further Football League experience before Harris joined Gateshead in 2022, where he made 30 appearances in all competitions and helped the club reach the FA Trophy Final at Wembley.
Harris joined Spennymoor Town in the summer of 2023, scoring 17 goals in 77 appearances across two seasons before earning a move to Halifax ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Standing at 6ft 2in, Harris enjoyed the most productive season of his career at Halifax, establishing himself as one of the National League’s leading goalscorers.
A powerful centre-forward, he combines strong aerial ability, intelligent movement and effective hold-up play with an instinctive eye for goal.
Speaking after agreeing terms with Hartlepool United, Will Harris said: “I’m delighted to be here. As soon as Pools’ interest became serious, this was the place I wanted to come.
“Chris made it clear how much the Club wanted to bring me here and that meant a lot. We had some really good conversations about where the Club is heading and the role they believed I could play in it.
“I’ve worked hard to get myself into this position and I feel I’m joining at the right time in my career. Last season gave me a lot of confidence, but I’m hungry to keep improving, keep scoring goals and help this football club achieve what it’s capable of.
“You only have to look at this football club to see where it wants to be. There’s real ambition here and I wanted to be part of that. As a player, those are the sort of challenges you look for.
“I’m looking forward to getting back in next week, meeting the lads and getting straight to work in pre-season. That’s where everything starts and we’ll all be focused on preparing properly for what’s going to be a big season.
“I’ve played at Victoria Park before, so I know what the supporters are like and the atmosphere they create. It’s a brilliant place to play football and I’m looking forward to having them behind me this season.
“I’ll give absolutely everything every time I pull on the shirt and hopefully I can repay the faith the Club has shown in me with goals and, most importantly, success for Pools.”
Harris’ arrival further strengthens Lee Clark’s attacking options ahead of the 2026/27 National League campaign.
The striker joins fellow attacking additions Jordan Hugill, Jack Nolan and Corey McKeown at Victoria Park, while Brooklyn Ilunga and Owen Hampson have also arrived as part of the Club’s ambitious summer recruitment programme.
Lee Clark, First Team Head Coach at Hartlepool United, said: “Will had an outstanding season last year and his goalscoring record tells you everything you need to know. To score 22 goals in the National League is a terrific return and it’s no surprise so many clubs were interested in him.
“He’s a natural goalscorer, but there’s much more to his game than that. He gives us a real focal point, he’s strong, works tirelessly for the team, links play well and is always a threat in and around the penalty area.
“We’ve already strengthened our attacking options this summer and Will complements those players really well. Every attacking player brings something different and having that variety gives us more ways to win football matches over the course of the season.
“He’s coming into the best years of his career, he’s hungry to improve and we’re looking forward to helping him do that. We’re delighted to welcome him to Pools and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
Chris Maxwell, Head of Football Operations at Bromby & Partners, said: “Will was one of the standout players we identified during our recruitment planning and securing his signature quickly became a priority for us.
“When a striker produces the numbers he did last season, you know there’s going to be significant interest. I’m particularly pleased we’ve been able to complete this signing because we believe Will has all the qualities to make a real difference for Hartlepool United.
“Strengthening our attacking options has been one of our key objectives this summer. We wanted to add goals, quality and genuine competition across the forward line because those are the qualities every successful team needs. We believe Will complements the attacking options we’ve already brought to the football club and gives Lee another outstanding option in the final third.
“From our earliest conversations, it was clear that Will wanted to be at Hartlepool United. He understands the ambition of this football club, recognises where we’re aiming to go and is determined to play his part in helping us achieve it. That made him an outstanding fit for Hartlepool United and we’re delighted to welcome him to the Club.”