Stuart Parnaby: Hartlepool sign ex-Middlesbrough defender

Hartlepool United have signed defender Stuart Parnaby on the back of his release by Middlesbrough at the end of the past Championship season.

Parnaby, 31, knows current Pools boss Colin Cooper from his two spells at Boro and is a former team-mate of fellow new signing Matthew Bates.

He made just three appearances last term under boss Aitor Karanka.

The Durham-born player played in the Teessiders' 2004 Uefa Cup final defeat by Sevilla in Eindhoven.

In addition to two spells at the Riverside, Parnaby also played for Birmingham City and won four England Under-21 caps.