DARLINGTON’S summer squad building continues and signing number seven will be the much-needed goalkeeper that Alun Armstrong has been looking for.

Chris Elliott trained on Tuesday evening as Quakers returned for pre-season training and the former Spennymoor Town 26-year-old will be Armstrong’s first-choice between the sticks.

Without a goalkeeper on the books, Armstrong readily admits he wanted Peter Jameson until the former Blyth No 1 chose York instead, but he has no qualms about bringing in Elliott, a player he wanted to sign 12 months ago.

“I tried to sign him at Blyth when Pete nearly joined York City last year, but Chris went to Spennymoor instead,” said Armstrong.

“He will be first-choice and that was a big selling point for him because he spent the whole of last season on the bench.

“He is a very good goalkeeper – he kept two clean sheets when he played for Alfreton against Blyth – he looks after himself, he’s a good pro, a good shot-stopper and he commands his area better than some goalkeepers at this level and his distribution is really good. He’s quite vocal, and that’s always beneficial.”

Wolsingham-based Elliott, who coaches in Leeds United’s academy, came through the ranks at Bradford City and has previously played for a number of non-league teams, including Harrogate Town, Alfreton, South Shields and also had a two-year spell playing in Sweden.

Armstrong added: “He contacted me as soon as I got the Darlington job and he was desperate to come. I had to wait and see what was happening with Pete.

“I could probably have got a loan goalkeeper, but ideally I wanted a little bit of experience, someone that knows the league and Chris will be a useful addition.”

Elliott is Armstrong’s first signing whose previous club is not Blyth Spartans, and his next recruits after not from Croft Park either.

The arrival of former Morecambe striker Adam Campbell is imminent, and Armstrong also expects to bring in a player on loan from a Championship club.

There are likely to be more exits before the beginning of the season, with Mitchell Glover and Jonny Burn having been given permission to go on trial elsewhere.