HARTLEPOOL United's move for Sunderland winger Benji Kimpioka fell short by a matter of minutes before last night's 11pm transfer window deadline. 

It's understood that after Pools made an offer during the day, a deal was agreed and both clubs were rushing through the paperwork to get it pushed through before the window slammed shut yesterday evening. 

Pools were in conversation with another forward over a loan move and were hopeful of completing deals for the attacking duo at the start of the day but the deal for Kimpioka failed to be finalised before the deadline due to paperwork issues. 

Kimpioka was a youth product at Swedish side IK Sirius before moving to Sunderland in 2018.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at National League side Torquay United where he made 10 appearances and featured against Pools in the second half of the promotion final at Ashton Gate.

Kimpioka featured in a number of pre-season games for the Black Cats but is no where near the first-team picture during Sunderland’s league and cup games. He's now free to seal a move to a National League side but must wait until January to move to an EFL side.

Pools did manage to get one signing over the line on deadline after Stoke City defender Eddy Jones completed a move to the club last night.