MICHAEL Duckworth yesterday ended his three-year stay at Hartlepool United, as he signed for Fleetwood Town.

The right-back decided against signing a new deal at Victoria Park and instead moved up a division. Fleetwood have long been interested in the 24-year-old, as reported in The Northern Echo. 

“I heard at the end of last season, I’ve been away on holiday and it’s been delayed,’’ he said. “I spent three years at Hartlepool, I feel this is a new chapter, a step up and I want to progress.

“I’ve got to know the division and most teams would have been relegated the season before last, but we pulled off the Great Escape at Hartlepool, a memory I will never forget.

“They signed me from Bradford PA. I will always be grateful to Hartlepool for giving me my chance to play professional football. But now I am ready for the start of a new chapter. This is a step forward and I want to progress.

“Looking last year, I was hoping Fleetwood wouldn’t go down and it’s a fresh start for us all now. I’ve had my break, I want to start pre-season.’’

He added on Fleetwood's offical website: “I enjoy getting forward as a full back. I have spoken to the manager and he told me he wants the full backs to push on. I am an attack-minded full back so it suits me perfectly.

“I have spent the last three seasons at Hartlepool United.

“We have signed a couple of new players already this summer which is great.

“I am delighted to now be a Fleetwood Town footballer. I have spent the off season travelling around America with my fiancé and I am now ready for the next chapter of my career.”