The 29-year-old former Darlington and Gateshead striker has secured a popular return to the north-east after having helped Crawley Town win promotion to League One.
Campbell’s time away in West Sussex was a huge success having made 45 appearances last season, scoring seven goals, as the Red Devils toppled Crewe Alexandra to win the League Two play-off final at Wembley.
Capped at England U16, U17 and U19 level, Campbell started his senior career at Newcastle United, where he made his competitive first team debut against Atromitos in the Europa League in August 2012, aged just 17. He then went on to make his Premier League debut against Stoke City the following season.
In all, he played over 370 games in his senior career including spells at Notts County, Morecambe and Carlisle United, and even returned for a brief loan spell at Hartlepool in 2014.
Two successful seasons at Darlington led to a move to Gateshead, where he helped the Heed win the National League North title in 2022 and reach the FA Trophy Final. There, he played 83 games, scoring 25 goals before being snapped up by then Crawley boss Scott Lindsey.
Campbell admits the lure of a move back home with Pools and forming part of manager Darren Sarll’s re-build at Victoria Park was too much to resist.
“I’m really excited to be here,” Campbell told the club’s website.
“I know some of the players and staff here already, and from meeting the gaffer I can’t wait to get going.
“I play better football when I’m happy and settled, so moving back home was a big factor in the move.
“However, if the goal wasn’t to help this team return to the Football League, I wouldn’t have come here.”
Along with Jack Hunter, Nathan Sheron, and Luke Charman at Victoria Park, Campbell becomes Pools’ fourth summer addition, and manager Sarll views him as an essential component of the puzzle.
Sarll remarked, “I think we can all appreciate the circumstances around this.”
“Acquiring a player like Adam is a true coup for Pools, especially considering that he recently saw promotion to League One with a different team that he might have continued playing for. After an outstanding season, he also attracted a lot of interest from other league clubs.
thrilled with his development off the ball in a squad that excelled at playing under pressure. He gives us a lot of versatility in four offensive spots and has excellent skill in and around the box.
“His addition serves as more evidence that, as a team, we are able to draw in some excellent players who are at the ideal point in their careers.
“I’m pretty happy with the hires that Ronnie Moore, Joe Monks, and I have made thus far. With the owners’ continuous support, we will be able to draw in the players that best suit our goals and profile for this season if we remain patient and hardworking.
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