NEW Darlington number two Mark Proctor has revealed the chance to team up with David Hodgson was too good an opportunity to turn down.

After guiding Middlesbrough's youth team to success in the FA Youth Cup last season, alongside Dave Parnaby, Proctor has turned his back on the Riverside.

Proctor will once again link up with his former Boro and Sunderland teammate Hodgson and is determined to make sure he has made the right career move.

He said: "This is a great chance for me to get into a senior coaching environment. After the success of the Youth Cup last season I felt I needed a bigger challenge. This opportunity arose and I'll hopefully grab it with both hands.

"It's been a fantastic seven years at Middlesbrough and I've thoroughly enjoyed it. They have given me a terrific grounding and introduction to coaching.

"Hopefully the infrastructure is now in place at Boro for the club to continue the rapid development it has made over recent years."

Hodgson, who has made last season's assistant, Martin Gray, youth team coach, believes the arrival of Proctor is a major coup.

Hodgson said: "I understand this is a loss for Middlesbrough, which is why I am delighted to have Mark at Darlington.

"His abilities as a coach are well known, not only at Boro but at all academies around the country. You don't win the FA Youth Cup if you're not at the top of your game and for me to secure Mark's services is a massive boost for us."

Proctor , Under-19 coach at Boro last season, played alongside his new boss during their days together at Ayresome Park in the late 1970s and early 80s.

He went on to make 125 league and cup appearance for Boro before signing for Nottingham Forest in 1981. He also had spells at Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday and ended his playing days under Mick Tait at Hartlepool United in 1997.

Boro chief executive Keith Lamb is disappointed to see Proctor depart.

He said: "He is a top class coach with long-term links with the club. But we understand that this is an opportunity for him to take up a senior coaching role with another club so we naturally wish him well and all the very best."

Meanwhile, Hodgson is hoping to complete the signing of former Newcastle United defender Joe Kendrick.

The 20-year-old is close to agreeing a return to the North-East following a season in Germany with 1860 Munich.

Kendrick was released by Newcastle last summer and despite interest from Hartlepool United, where he played two reserve games on trial, Norwich and Sheffield Wednesday, he opted for a surprise move to the Olympia Stadion.

However, the Irishman has failed to make an impact with Munich, who were relegated from the Bundesliga last season.

Hodgson has been in the hunt for a left-sided player and recently failed to land Bolton winger Jeff Smith.