Matteo Lanzoni: Cambridge United defender joins Hartlepool United

Matteo Lanzoni is a former Italy Under-19 international

Hartlepool United have signed defender Matteo Lanzoni on loan from Cambridge United until the end of December.

The 26-year-old Italian has made three appearances for the U's since his summer arrival, but has not featured in the first team since 16 September.

Lanzoni previously worked with Pools boss Paul Murray at Oldham last year.

He comes in after defender Stuart Parnaby was ruled out for nine months following knee surgery and Scott Harrison returned to Sunderland.

Former Birmingham City man Parnaby has only managed to play five games for Pools since he signed on the back of his release by Middlesbrough in June.

Centre-back Lanzoni, who started his career with Italian side Sampdori, moved to England last season with the Latics.

He rejected the offer of a new contract at Boundary Park in December and joined Yeovil, only to be released in the summer.