FORMER Darlington goalkeeper Sam Russell has become Gateshead manager Malcolm Crosby’s first signing.

At the end of the season Russell left Forest Green Rovers, the club he joined in January 2012 when Quakers ran into financial problems.

The previous season he played in Darlington’s FA Trophy win at Wembley having beaten Gateshead in the semi-finals and he was one of the supporters’ favourites.

Russell had two spells with the club (2004-2007 and 2010-12), plus a one-game loan from hometown club in Middlesbrough in 2002-03, and he recently spoke of his fondness for Quakers’ fans.

After leaving Conference club Forest Green, he said: “I had a fantastic time there [at Forest Green], I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. I’ve got a lot of memories and made a lot of friends. I have left with my head held high. At Darlington I had a couple of great spells and I was very similar with the supporters because I had a great relationship with them, and still do.”

The 32-year-old could face Quakers in a pre-season friendly next month as Darlington will travel to Gateshead for a pre-season match on Friday, July 17.

Crosby said: “It’s a good signing because we’ve got an experienced goalkeeper. He comes from the area, so obviously he’s happy to be back home.

“Good goalkeepers are very hard to find, so we are very pleased to have got him.

“Sam left Middlesbrough the year I joined, but I’ve seen him play quite a lot at Forest Green.”

Russell replaces Adam Bartlett, who has not been offered a new deal, one of 11 leaving the International Stadium, and he will rejoin former Darlington team-mates Rob Ramshaw and Jamie Chandler at Gateshead if the pair stay on Tyneside.

They have both been offered a new contract, as have Craig Baxter, James Curtis, Ben Clark, Matty Pattison, Phil Turnbull, John Oster, Dean Briggs, Jon Shaw and Meechak Kanda.

A contract has also been offered to Josh Gillies, who was on-loan last season: as he has been released by Carlisle United.