Smith seals Quakers switch

By Peter ORourke  

Darlington have clinched the signing of Martin Smith from Northampton.

The move has been mooted for some time and Smith has now joined The Quakers after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

Northampton were hoping to keep the former Sunderland star, but the chance to return to the North East proved too attractive for Smith.

"It has dragged on for a couple of weeks. I had a big decision to make whether to leave Northampton where I was very happy and had just got promoted," Smith told the club's official website.

"However I just felt the time was right to come back to the North East whilst I still had something to offer.

"Anyone who knows me will realise that I always wanted to come back to the North East.

"I may not have had another offer like this. The club looks like it is trying to move in the right direction and I just felt everything was right."

Meanwhile, the club have confirmed that midfielder Clark Keltie has signed a new one-year contract.