By Martin Walker
Darlington manager Craig Liddle has tonight completed a double signing.
The Quakers boss has signed Sunderland’s highly-rated Northern Ireland international defender Liam Bagnall on a one-month loan deal, while former midfielder Clark Keltie has returned to the club on a non-contract basis.
Liddle said: “I’m delighted to have brought in two contrasting signings but they will both add some much-needed quality to our squad.
“I have to say, Sunderland have been fantastic to us. They’ve bent over backwards to help us and we’re very grateful.
“Liam is extremely highly-rated by the coaching team up there and, with Paul Arnison out for two or three weeks, he’ll be a valuable addition over the next few weeks.
“I’m equally pleased to bring Clark back to the club. The fact he spent seven years with the club was a big factor in him joining us.
“It’s been difficult trying to bring players in because of the circumstances, but Clark was very keen to come because he knows the club and the fans.
“He’ll bring some experience and quality to the squad, so I’m very pleased with the two signings.”
Bagnall, 19, is a right-back who can also play at centre-back. He signed professional terms with the Black Cats after completing a two-year scholarship with the club.
He’s won one cap for the Northern Ireland Under-21s, and has also been capped at U-19s, U-17s and U16s levels.
Newcastle-born Keltie, now 28, played 179 league and cup games for Darlo between 2001 and 2008.
He had spells with Rochdale, Chester, Gateshead and Lincoln before signing for Icelandic side Þór Akureyri last summer and played 11 games for them, scoring one goal.
He then signed for League of Ireland Premier Division side Cork City earlier this month but left by mutual consent.
● Darlington midfielder James Gray today left Darlington by mutual consent.