*BS*The club are pleased to announce the signing of striker James Poole from Bury. The 24-year-old joins initially on loan until January.*BF*

Poole is eligible to play for the club in both the FA Cup and the FA Trophy.

Primarily a striker – but also able to play left-wing and central midfield – Poole joined Manchester City’s academy from Macclesfield Town’s centre of excellence for a small fee and went on to be part of the Manchester City FA Youth Cup winning side in 2007–08 which beat Chelsea and signed a new one-year contract in March 2010.

Having joined Bury on loan on 25 March 2010 until the end of the 2009–10 season, he made his debut on 27 March in a Football League match against Aldershot, going on to make 9 appearances for the club, before being sent-off in the last league match of the season.

On 13 October Poole joined Hartlepool United on a one-month loan deal, which was later extended by a month. Poole made 6 appearances at Hartlepool, scoring his first goal in senior football in the League 1 game against Brighton & Hove Albion. In December 2010, Poole returned to his parent club, Manchester City.

On 13 May 2011, Poole made a permanent move to Hartlepool for the 2011/12 season, signing a two-year contract. In August 2014, Poole joined Bury but struggled to cement his place in their side and has now agreed to join Dover Athletic on loan, initially until January.