Harrogate have resigned Hartlepool United midfielder Michael Woods.
The 28-year-old returns to the CNG Stadium for his second spell at the club, having made 38 league appearances for Town from 2013 to 2014; scoring nine goals.
Woods departed Harrogate for League Two Hartlepool at the beginning of the 2014/15 season and went on to make over 100 appearances for The Monkey Hangars.
In his last full season at the club, Woods became the first Pools midfielder to hit double figures since the 2011/12 season, an achievement that helped him to being named Supporters Association Away Player of the Year.
The 5ft8 creative midfielder had previously spent time at Doncaster Rovers, Yeovil, Notts County and Chelsea, who signed Woods at just 16 years old.
Born in York, Woods has been capped by England at U16, U17 and U19 level and now re-joins the club where he first became a regular first team player, almost six years after netting past Brackley on his Town debut.
“I felt we needed another ingredient coming into the squad, we know what he did first time round here, he’s moved on since then and so has the club, both have progressed nicely,” said manager Simon Weaver.
“When he last played here we trained one night a week and had nothing like the facilities we have now.
“He brings a lot of flair and can beat a man, relishes any opportunity to take people on and will fit right in with our style of football.
“It’s an opportunity for us to add another dimension to the squad and sometimes you need that in games, in the last ten minutes when you need that bit of creativity he can unlock defences that have been sitting back.
“He’s got a great attitude, he lives for football and will add a little bit of seniority to the squad at 28-years-old.”
