FRASER Kerr has moved to Hartlepool United from Gateshead for an undisclosed fee.

The centre-half has been an integral part of the Heed back four this season and moves to Pools after a second bid was accepted.

Pools are without Peter Kioso for the next two games through suspension after he was booked for the tenth time this season on Saturday.

They have also lost Michael Raynes and Carl Magnay for the rest of the campaign through injury.

That left Craig Hignett with only Myles Anderson and Aaron Cunningham available as fit centre-halves for the next couple of games.

Kerr moved to the International Stadium in the summer from Stenhousemuir and has played more than 50 times in the SPL for Motherwell.

The Heed are under a transfer embargo and boss Ben Clark was loathe to lose the 27-year-old ever present.

Hignett told the club’s website: “We have a list of targets that we have been working on for next season.

“Fraser was one of the names at the top of that list so I am delighted we’ve been able to do a deal to bring him in before the summer.

“He’s had an excellent season at Gateshead and played a lot of games so he was someone we were keen to bring here and we’re thrilled he’s decided to join us.”