DARLINGTON have signed striker Wilson Kneeshaw and he goes straight into the squad that tomorrow plays at Blyth Spartans, one of his former clubs.

He has swapped California for Quakers, the 24-year-old signing a deal lasting until the end of the season, giving manager Tommy Wright an option in the forward ranks.

Kneeshaw has most recently been with Sacramento Republic, a club in California that plays in the Western Conference of the United Soccer League Championship.

Now Darlington-born Kneeshaw has returned to England, joining his hometown club after impressing Wright during a trial recently and scoring in Tuesday’s friendly at Bishop Auckland.

He came off the bench at Heritage Park, scoring in a 4-0 win, and Wright said: “He came on at half-time, made intelligent runs, he was strong, he was lively and his goal capped off what was a good appearance for us. He did everything you could expect of him.”

This will be Kneeshaw’s second spell with Darlington having played four games in the 2015-16 season.

The former Middlesbrough youth team player signed midway through the campaign, starting one league match a 2-1 defeat at Barwell – and three cup games, scoring in a 2-1 win at Blyth in Doodson League Cup.

However, he soon joined Blyth for the remainder of the campaign and in one memorable match at home to Ramsbottom United scored all five goals in a 5-0 win.

Darlington are hoping to make a second addition to their squad before tomorrow’s match, but that move has been delayed due to an issue at the player’s club.