Tom Devitt signs for Hebburn Town

The centre-back, formerly of Lionsbridge in USA, made 20 National League appearances for Gateshead in the 2018/19 campaign, before a season under Lee Clark at Blyth Spartans.

He joins the Northern Premier League East division side following a successful trial period which included four pre-season outings.

The 25-year-old played in the Scottish League Two last season for Stranraer, just falling short in the promotion play-off semi-finals in May.

Assistant manager Michael Mulhern said: "We're really pleased - obviously there's been interest from elsewhere.

"The pleasing thing is when you go up the leagues, you can take the opposition out of the equation because he actually wanted to come to us.

"His pedigree is top class - it's another signing where they've played higher than what we are.

"That's we tend to look at historically, you either have to be very good at the level we're at or the level above.

"Our recruitment over the last couple of years has been really good, and Tom is another example."