MARCO GABBIADINI last night admitted pride was the reason behind his shock move to Hartlepool United.

Gabbiadini trained with Darlington this week as a return to the club, where he was recently voted its greatest ever player, looked likely after he was freed by Northampton.

But on Thursday he signed a contract with fierce rivals Pool and admitted the chance to extend his career in Division Two was the deciding factor.

Gabbiadini is one of a number of players to reject a move to the Reynolds Arena this summer.

Quakers chairman George Reynolds - who insists he still has a top-class striker on the verge of signing - claimed Pool made their move out of jealously over his new 27,500 all-seater stadium.

Gabbiadini, however, insisted: "All I want to do is play for as long as I can at the highest level I can.

"I guess it was a little bit of a shock to some, but it happened so quickly, I never really had time to take it all in.

"The new manager has come in and it's taken a few days to get his feet under the table and weigh up what he needs regarding bringing players in.

"Personally to be able to continue playing in the Second Division is the big thing. I've got friends in the game who are coming up to retirement age and those who have already retired and they all say the same thing - just keep playing for as long as you can at the highest level you can.

"I've had some very good offers to play outside the Football League and some to play part-time, but for me it's about staying in Division Two.

"That's always been my thinking. When I left Darlington a couple of years ago I could have dropped out of the league at Doncaster or Rushden, but it was the chance to move up with Northampton which was the big thing.''

Gabbiadini netted 14 times last season in a Northampton side which was relegated and confessed: "The Second Division is a good league, a tough one and to be honest, I felt I had a good season. Right up to the end I was expecting to be offered something there.

"But there's been a lot of changes at the club and it's their decision.

"I looked at Hartlepool and thought of them as a possibility. Everyone I spoke to said they are a really professional club, very well run, and approach things in a professional manner.

"And the fact it is in the North-East then it's all the better for me to come back up here.

"I met the manager and Martin Scott, spoke to them and it all happened very quickly.''

He added: "I had a couple of offers. Yes, I trained with Darlington this week, but in the end I decided not to sign for them.

"Everything has gone fast. This time last week I was at home waiting for the phone to ring. It's a worrying time for everyone in the game when that happens.

"But all of a sudden three or four clubs are in contact and there were some offers as well. Now I've trained with Darlington and signed for another club.''

Gabbiadini's last visit to Victoria Park ended in acrimony when he was punched by a Pool fan as he left the pitch following Quakers' play-off victory in 2000.

He was the Quakers' striker Pool fans loved to hate but admitted: "It's not an issue. It's just part and parcel of football - players move from club to club all the time.

"To be honest, I don't want to dwell on it. Passions run high in the play-offs; things get a bit heated because there is a lot at stake.''

The 35-year-old now heads to Holland on Monday with his new teammates for Pool's pre-season tour. His debut in a blue and white shirt is likely to come on Wednesday when Pool meet Top Oss.

"Now I'm in a rush to get my bags packed and get away with the lads,'' he added. "In a way it will be good to get there and meet the lads and get to know them all.

"A lot of teams go abroad pre-season now and I know Hartlepool went to the same place last summer. I've heard good things about the facilities.''

Pool, meanwhile, have recorded record season ticket sales and are now approaching the 2,000 mark.