Hartlepool United are lining up a double transfer swoop, to follow on from the addition of experienced forward Jordan Hugill.
Lee Clark’s side missed out on the play-off places in the National League last season, and have failed to reach the top seven ever since being relegated out of the EFL.
However, the club have undergone another managerial change this summer, with Clark joining the side from Rotherham United, following Nicky Featherstone’s exit at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
With the new era of the club thoroughly underway, work can begin for the new campaign – with two possible signings potentially on the horizon.
Hartlepool eye double transfer swoop
As mentioned, the Pools have already confirmed their first summer signing in the form of experienced striker Jordan Hugill, who arrived from Rotherham on a free transfer.
However, a new report has revealed that Hartlepool have identified their next two potential targets as their recruitment continues.
According to journalist Rob Law, Hartlepool United are lining up a double swoop for departed Morecambe playmaker Jack Nolan as well as Spennymoor Town’s Corey McKeown.
Nolan had a standout campaign for relegated Morecambe last season, contributing to 28 of their 66 league goals, including an average of one goal or assist per match during the closing stages of the campaign.
He becomes a free agent this summer, after his short-term contract with the Shrimps came to an end.
Meanwhile, McKeown contributed to nine goals in the National League North for Spennymoor, as they narrowly missed out on the play-off places.
The 24-year-old will also become a free agent this summer after turning down a new contract and is therefore free to join the Pools.
Can Hartlepool finally end their National League spell?
Hartlepool began 2026 with confirmation of a brand new owner taking control of the club, which unsurprisingly led to supporters being excited, ambitious and part-frustration with wanting immediate success.
The club missed out on the play-offs last season, which has in-part led to more off-field changes in terms of the manager and coaching department – but that could be a blessing.
Clark has plenty of experience managing in the EFL and joins the Pools immediately after his stint with Rotherham came to an end. Admittedly, they were relegated under his guidance though he only managed nine times.
Similarly, the club also made some key decisions in terms of players this summer with the likes of Tom Parkes and Alex Reid departing on free transfers, freeing up wages for other areas of the squad.
Whilst Hugill doesn’t have a significant goal-scoring record over the last few seasons, his experience around the squad will help a lot of the younger players or players like McKeown who could make the step up from the lower divisions.
Similarly, Nolan almost kept Morecambe up single-handedly last season and was one of the division’s standout names, despite only signing in September. With other clubs looking to sign him, if Hartlepool win that race it would give the recruitment team immense pride and confidence, whilst also making them more attractive for some of their other targets.
With the National League looking increasingly more competitive with each passing season, there is an opportunity for a former EFL side like Hartlepool to take advantage and compete for promotion this season.
