Darlington manager Mick Tait looks set to clinch his fourth signing of the summer today with the capture of Birmingham City defender Jonathan Hutchinson.
The 21-year-old is still under contract at St Andrews but Northern Echo SPORT understands the Blues are willing to let the Middlesbrough-born player leave on a free transfer.
Hutchinson will put pen to paper on a two-year deal at the Reynolds Arena and will go straight into the squad for tomorrow's Third Division opener at Hull City.
The imminent arrival of Hutchinson will end Tait's summer-long search for a central defender following Stuart Whitehead's departure for Telford.
Whitehead's decision to drop down a division was a big disappointment for Tait, who was desperate to keep hold of the defender and is hoping the highly-rated Hutchinson will prove a very able replacement.
The Teessider made just one Premiership appearance last season - at Leeds on New Year's Day - and while Blues boss Steve Bruce is an admirer of the youngster, having offered him an extended deal last year, he also recognises the player needs regular first-team football at this stage of his career.
A move to First Division Bradford City failed to materialise and now Hutchinson will be looking to kick-start his career back in the North-East
Only 48 hours earlier Frenchman Fabian Bossy put pen to paper on a one-year deal with Quakers after a successful trial spell
The 25-year-old's arrival follows the recent additions of goalkeeper Michael Price and striker Glen Robson.
Tait believes the former Clyde and Livingston midfielder will prove to be a useful addition.
"Fabian will add a bit of experience to our squad," said Tait.
"Apart from Neil Maddison our midfield is full of kids."
Tait expects to have a fully fit squad available tomorrow with Robson his only real concern.
The former Blyth man has trained this week but is still feeling some pain in a neck injury.
Neil Wainwright and Gary Pearson are both back in contention after returning to training.
Read more about the Quakers here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article