POPULAR defender Craig Hinton is poised to join Division Three rivals Bristol Rovers on a free transfer.

Hinton will end a glittering six-year spell with Kidderminster Harriers when his contract runs out at the end of June.

The 26-year-old has been an integral part of the Harriers defence as the club won promotion from the Conference and then kept their place in the Football League.

Once rated in the £1 million bracket by previous chairman Lionel Newton and linked with a move to higher divisions, Hinton's career has not taken off as expected.

Despite being a regular last season, the former Birmingham player was offered a two-year contract on less money and Rovers' better deal appears to have lured him away for a new challenge.

Director of football Jan Molby said: "I'm obviously disappointed he's going to be leaving but I understand and respect his decision.

"I would have loved to have kept him but the offer we made him was less than he's currently earning.

"I understand Bristol made him a decent financial offer and, especially at this level of football, you have to look after number one.

"To be fair to Craig he knew we made him the best offer we could afford and he never once came back to try and barter himself a better deal.

"He has done exceptionally well since he has been here and we will obviously miss him."

Hinton, signed by Graham Allner in 1998, played at right-back and in midfield but had most of his games, and best moments, at centre-half.

In 285 games for the club, he picked up player-of-the-year awards and also captained the side.

Midfielder Dean Bennett, a long-standing team-mate and friend of Hinton's, is still to sign his two-year deal but has verbally agreed to extend his stay.

And Harriers are having to be patient with potential new signings who are keeping their options open.

Molby has declared his priority is the strikeforce where he is likely to focus a greater proportion of the wage budget.

He has Lee Jenkins as a potential right-back but is expected to add to his defence further as a result of Hinton's departure.

Molby added: "I'll be sad to see Craig go but now we have to move on. I have a number of targets in mind which I will now go out and try and bring in."

Hinton will link up again with his former Birmingham youth team coach, Kevan Broadhurst, who is expected to be confirmed as assistant boss at Rovers.

Subject to passing a medical, the player will sign a two-year deal and manager Ian Atkins may well see him filling the right-back role.

Broadhurst said: "Craig is a very solid defender. He is quick and has a very good footballing brain. We are delighted to have him.

"He can play in a number of positions in the back line from centre-back to full-back and also wing-back."

Meanwhile, Harriers chairman Colin Youngjohns confirmed July's annual meeting, on a date to be arranged, would reveal a profit of around £25,000 for the financial year running between 2002 and 2003.

Harriers will not be facing Huddersfield in Division Three next season after the Yorkshire side defeated Mansfield 4-1 on penalties in the play-off final.