The 23-year-old underwent a medical on Friday afternoon before agreeing terms and putting pen-to-paper on a contract, sealing his return to the North-East.

James came through the ranks at Victoria Park, bursting on to the scene as a fresh-faced 17-year-old and became the youngest player to score for the club in January 2011 when he netted a screamer against Rochdale.

The hard-working frontman went on to establish himself in the first-team and was top scorer and player of the year in 2013/14 before earning a move to Peterborough United in August 2014.

However, James returned to the club for a successful loan stint during the second half of the 2015/16 campaign as form improved and the team climbed the League Two table.

After a season-long loan at Bristol Rovers, he linked-up with Forest Green Rovers last summer before joining Barrow AFC on loan in January where he helped himself to 7 goals – including one against Pools.

Now James will be back in blue and white stripes for the start of 2018/19 after manager Matthew Bates made him his eighth signing of a very productive summer for the Pools boss.