Mark Cook

Mark Cook (born 7 September 1988) is an English footballer who plays as goalkeeper. He is one of a very small number of English players to have played professionally in South America, after playing two games for Peruvian club Universitario in 2012.^{[citation needed]}

Cook came through the youth system at Newcastle United, and was later contracted to Hartlepool United and Gateshead, though he did not play a senior game for any of these clubs. In October 2010, he signed for Harrogate Town, where he kept 17 clean sheets in 61 games.^[1]

In July 2012, Cook was contacted by Universitario manager Nolberto Solano, who like Cook, played for Newcastle United and Hartlepool United. Cook signed for Universitario in August among much media attention.^[2] He played two games in the Peruvian Primera División for the club, making his debut in a 0–1 home defeat to Sport Huancayo on 1 September, and then played in a 3–0 away defeat against Cobresol on 16 September.^[3] Solano departed as Universitario manager on 12 December 2012, and this marked the end of Cook's short spell with the club.^{[citation needed]} Upon his return to England Mark signed for Northern Premier League side Blyth Spartans,^[4] making his debut in a 2–1 defeat against FC United of Manchester at Gigg Lane.^[5] Cook made a handful of appearances for Blyth before leaving at the end of the season.