Fleetwood sign attacking full-back Duckworth

The defender was expected to join the club last month but due to a lengthy trip to America with his new fiancee Victoria the full-back has only just put pen to paper at Town’s £8.5m training complex Poolfoot Farm this afternoon.

The 24-year year-old only played 18 games for League Two club Hartlepool due to an abdominal strain and a hernia operation but he made 70 appearances in total for United during a three-year spell before deciding to move to Highbury.

The defender is fully fit now and says he is ready to make the step up to League One.

He said: “I first heard (about the move) towards the end of last season.

“I was delighted to find out the club was interested me.

“Obviously I’ve been away for quite a while - I think that is why it has been a bit delayed.

“I’ve been doing a bit of travelling around the U.S.A with my new fiance now.

“It has been a good trip.

“I’ve spent three years at Hartlepool - they took me out of non-league (from Bradford Park Avenue) which I am grateful for.

“But I feel like this is a new chapter and a step up.

“I want to progress and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

And Duckworth believes he will fit into Steven Pressley’s style of play.

He said: “I like to get forward.

“”I’ve spoken to the gaffer about how they play.

They like the full-backs to push on and I am quite an attacking full-back and I like to get forward so I think it should suit me perfectly.”

And Duckworth says he was impressed with the new training complex that was unveiled by Sir Alex Ferguson in April

He said: “The training ground is unbelievable.

“I first came here when it was under construction and seeing the whole thing it is unbelievable.

“It must attract so many players.

“It helps with the development.

“If you have the best facilities you are only going to get better.

“The pitches look outstanding and the gaffer told me they are not even ready yet.

“To think what they are going to be like in a few weeks it is going to be unbelievable.”