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Hartlepool United boss Colin Cooper has once again called on a former Boro team-mate after securing the signing of Stuart Parnaby.

The 31-year-old defender was released by Aitor Karanka at the end of last season having returned for his second spell at the Riverside two years earlier.

And Pools boss Cooper wasted no time in tempting Parnaby to Victoria Park where he will team up with another former Boro star Matthew Bates, who signed for the League Two club earlier this week.

Parnaby came through the ranks at Boro's academy and made his first team debut against Macclesfield Town in a League Cup tie in 2000.

The Durham-born defender went on to make the right back slot his own and lined up for Boro in the UEFA Cup final in Eindhoven in 2006.

After leaving on a free transfer in 2007, Parnaby linked up with Birmingham City but a spell of frustrating injuries made it difficult for him to establish himself at St Andrews.

He did win some silverware during his time in the Midlands however as an unused substitute in Birmingham's shock League Cup victory over Arsenal in 2011.

Parnaby left Birmingham when his contract expired that summer and after training with Boro was offered a two-year deal by Tony Mowbray.

But he struggled to force his way back into the Boro side and after making 21 appearances in two years was allowed to leave in May.