Vale sign Steve Thompson from Middlesbrough

Last updated : 31 May 2008 By Peter Smith
The 19 year old impressed in a trial game for Vale reserves and he's joined the club.

"We observed him in the two games he played for us and we liked what we saw," Sinnitt told the official website.

"He has come from a good club and has had a good grounding there.

"He is 19 years old. We do have things in the pipeline for bringing in experienced players as well, but you go with your gut feeling.

"For me, he is one of those who if we hadn't have taken him, he could have turned up somewhere else and do well, then people will ask why we didn't have a little punt on him.

"I think he showed in the two reserve games what he is about. He is a hard working player and he has an eye for goal and I think he will cause people problems - he has that type of mentality.

"It's an opportunity for him and he strikes me as a young man who is ready, willing and able to grab that opportunity, and that is the type of player we want pulling the Port Vale shirt on."