Speedy winger Adam Rundle has returned to Darlington, almost a decade after leaving the club.

The 26-year-old today signed a one-year contract at The Northern Echo Arena, bringing to an end Mark Cooper’s lengthy chase for his signature.

Rundle agreed to return to Darlington several weeks ago, but the move hit a stumbling block which has now been resolved, allowing him to becomes Quakers’ fourth signing of the summer.

Cooper says that Rundle, who turns 27 on Friday, was keen to join Quakers, saying: “Adam has taken a significant cut in wages to sign for us.

“That tells me that he was desperate to sign for us, and that’s the kind of player I want at this club.

“He’s the type of player who fits into our way of thinking and he also gives us different options, so it’s an excellent signing for us and I’m delighted.”

Rundle is the third player to join Darlington this summer that have dropped into the Conference from the Football League.

While striker James Walsaw signed after leaving Guiseley, Kris Taylor and Graeme Lee’s most recent clubs were Port Vale and Notts County respectively, while Rundle has left Morecambe.

The South Shields-born winger had a another year to run on his contract at the Globe Arena, but after negotiating a release he has returned to the North-East where he also played last season.

Rundle ended the 2011-12 campaign on loan at Gateshead for whom he played in both legs of the FA Trophy semi-finals against Quakers.

He scored in the first leg at the Arena, which Darlington won 3-2, while he particularly impressed Cooper during the second leg at the International Stadium when Rundle gave Paul Arnison a testing 90 minutes that finished 0-0.

But Rundle’s impressive performances against Darlington are nothing new to the club’s supporters who have grown used to seeing him enjoy impressive displays in matches against Quakers since leaving Feethams in January 2003.

After coming through the ranks and making his debut as a 17-year-old, he left after only 17 appearances for Carlisle United after which he had spells with Dublin City, Mansfield Town and Rochdale.

At Rochdale Rundle reached the League Two play-off final, after beating Quakers in the semi-finals, and scored at Wembley against Stockport.

Cooper added: “He’s hungry, he wants to succeed with us and he’s keen to prove a point in the Conference, so I’d ask our fans to judge him on his performances for us this season, and not on the past.

“I thought he was outstanding for Gateshead against us in the FA Trophy semi-finals last season.

“He’s at a good age and I’m very confident he’ll fit into our squad very comfortably.

“I’m more than pleased with the four new signings we’ve made before the start of training this week, it’s good to get some quality players in early on.”

After three and a half years with Dale, Rundle joined Chesterfield early in 2010 before moving to Morecambe six months later.

But after only a year with Morecambe he has been allowed to leave, and manager Jim Bentley said: “Adam is at an age where he wants to play first team football regularly and I couldn’t guarantee him that this season.

“I can understand his ambitions and I would like to wish him well for the future.”

Rundle will link-up with his new team-mates when Darlington return for pre-season training tomorrow morning.

* The 2011-12 Blue Square Bet Premier League fixtures were released yesterday and Quakers have been handed a home game against promoted Braintree Town on the opening day, August 13.

The club’s second home game, on August 23, will see Chris Senior, scorer of the FA Trophy final winner, make a swift return to the Arena with his new Alfreton team-mates.