Stanley happy to sign Hatfield

Midfielder Will Hatfield has signed a deal at Accrington until the end of the season after impressing the coaches earlier this year.

The 20-year-old was a free agent after being released by Leeds last month and has since turned out for Halifax on a non-contract basis. Hatfield made four appearances for the Reds earlier in the season in a loan spell and Stanley's interim manager, Leam Richardson, is pleased to have him back at the club. "He's got good quality and comes with a good recommendation from Leeds," said Richardson. "He won't need time to bed in and he'll add quality to the squad and be looking to compete and get into the team. "He showed during his initial time here that he's a very good, young player so when the chance came to add him permanently we had no hesitation." Hatfield will wear the number 30 shirt at the Crown Ground but will have to wait for his second Accrington debut after their match against Oxford this weekend was postponed due to a frozen pitch.