DARLINGTON have signed Whitby Town’s top scorer Jacob Hazel for an undisclosed fee pending FA approval.

The 28-year-old moves from the Northern Premier League up to the National League North with the Quakers after a prolific season in front of goal for the Seasiders.

Hazel netted 34 times in a season where Whitby Town just missed out on the play-offs.

He started his career with National League side Chesterfield before making his way through a number of teams in the Northern Premier League with Mickleover Sports, Frickley and Scarborough Athletic.

Hazel puts pen-to-paper on a two-year deal at Blackwell Meadows.

The striker said: “It’s been a good enjoyable year at Whitby. They have been really good with the move. They’ve not stood in my way, which I knew they wouldn’t. They are a really good set of guys down there.

“Personally I’ve done alright. I’ve got my fair share of goals. I’m just hoping I can carry it on into the league above now.”

Darlington have struggled to unearth a goalscorer this season with midfielder Jack Lambert standing as this season’s top scorer with eight goals to his name. Luke Charman still tops the charts with 12 despite leaving for a move to League Two side Rochdale in January.

Manager Alun Armstrong said: “I knew the kid was discussing a new contract and we couldn’t speak to him but I’m delighted to get him on board.

“Someone to score the amount of goals he has, not just last year but previous years, I think we’ve done really well to get him on board and it’s someone that we needed.

“He’s got a bit of physicality about him and, what should I say, he’s got a few tricks that affect the opposition. Similar to what Reece Styche used to do here.

“The kids goalscoring record is one of the best I’ve seen in non-league. He’s confident without being too confident and believes in his own ability.”

Armstrong hailed the nature of the season and is happy to sign a striker that is in the prime of their career.

He continued: “I’ve got him at the peak of his ability now. I think we’ve brought someone in that is at the peak of their game. Normally I’m bringing in younger lads and developing them or senior lads to help develop the younger lads. The only problem with that is as soon as I develop them, they’re gone.

“Hopefully this will not happen with Jacob but if it does, it will be a decent fee if we do move Jacob on because he’s signed a two-year deal plus an option. We’ve tied him down to a decent contract and we couldn’t have done that without the fans.”