Danny Wilson has revealed latest signing Ritchie Jones chose Hartlepool ahead of several other options.

The Pools manager had been monitoring Jones for some time before moving in once the 21-year-old was released from Manchester United.

Wilson told the club's official website: "We first made enquiries last season about Ritchie, but he was not available at the time so we monitored the situation for quite a while and it has now paid off.

"The nice thing is that he has had numerous clubs after him, but from our point of view, thankfully he chose us and that's a big feather in our cap.

"Potentially we have an excellent player on our books. He has a fantastic pedigree in terms of upbringing. Where better to start out from the age of nine than Manchester United?

"He has some very good habits so that's one thing we won't have to work on."