Richard Brodie to join Gateshead when contract expires

Gateshead have agreed terms with striker Richard Brodie, who will join his home-town club from Crawley Town when his contract expires in June.

The 25-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the Conference Premier club, following loan spells with Morecambe and Grimsby earlier this season.

Chairman Graham Wood said: "We are delighted to have brought Brodie back to the North East and his home town.

"He has a good record in the Conference and is a key signing for the club."

Brodie's goalscoring feats helped York to the FA Trophy final and Conference Premier play-off final in consecutive years, leading to a £275,000 move to Crawley in September 2010.

His goals helped the Reds into the Football League in 2011, although he has failed to feature for his parent club since.

Fleetwood agreed a year-long loan for 2011-12 and he helped them to promotion, while last term the forward was brought to Morecambe and Grimsby for short-term stints.

"Brodie is a massive signing for the club," said boss Anth Smith "He is champing at the bit to come home and play for his home-town club.

"He will be on familiar ground which should bring the best out of him. He sees that Gateshead is a club going forward and wants to be a part of that progression.

"We have trailed him for several years as he is a proven goalscorer at this level and that was something we lacked last season."