JAMES MARWOOD has returned to Gateshead just 12 months after leaving the International Stadium.
The forward made over 100 appearances for the Heed but left to join Scottish Premiership side St Mirren last summer.
The 25-year-old left the Scottish club in January after failing to find the net and moved back into Non-League football with Forest Green Rovers.
He scored once in 16 appearances for Rovers but 11 of those came from the bench and his 18-month contract at The New Lawn was terminated by mutual consent.
And he quickly secured a move back to the north east where he will play under newly appointed boss Malcolm Crosby.
He said: “It's a huge weight off my shoulders. Returning here has been on my mind since leaving St Mirren at Christmas.
“I'm forever thankful to (Rovers manager) Ady (Pennock) for allowing me to come home – he understood that I wasn't happy down there – and if you're happy off the field, you're more likely to be happy on it.
“I've definitely learnt a lot about myself in the past 12 months, and about other people in football – not everything is hunky-dory.
“The grass isn't always greener – everyone is pulling in the right direction here at Gateshead. I still feel like the club should have gone one better two seasons ago, and that's one of the main reasons for coming back. We're more than capable of doing that this year.”
Boss Crosby added: “I'm very pleased to have James back – I like players with a bit of pace who will look to take defenders on – and he fits into that category.
“I'm sure I won't need to put an arm around him – he has picked up experience since he last played here, and I'm sure he can hit the ground running.”
