Hartlepool boss Neale Cooper insists he would rather have Simon Walton in his squad than the transfer targets he missed out on.
Walton, 24, completed his move to Victoria Park on Friday following the expiry of his contract at Plymouth, becoming Cooper's second summer capture following the arrival of former Middlesbrough winger Jonathan Franks.
And the Pools boss told the club's official website: "He's a strong player, he likes a tackle, but he's a good footballer too.
"He was captaining Plymouth last season at just 24 years old and that tells you a lot about his character, but his all-round game has impressed me so much."
Cooper added: "During the summer we have missed out on other targets - but if I'm being honest, I would rather have had Simon than any of those and when we heard there was a chance he would be available we jumped at the opportunity and got the deal pushed through."
© 2013 - British Sky Broadcasting Ltd