York City bring Michael Woods home at last as former Leeds United, Doncaster Rovers and Harrogate Town joins boyhood club

The midfielder's grandfather Alan Woods made 228 appearances for the Minstermen between 1960 and 1967, and his uncle Neil played eight times in 1998-99.

After mutually agreeing to terminate his Dover Athletic contract, the York-born player has finally been able to follow the family tradition, becoming Steve Watson's 11th signing of the summer.

“I grew up as a kid on the terraces watching Rodney Rowes and it’s an opportunity to come home and I can’t wait to get started,” he said.

“I feel very lucky, it feels a bit like a fan coming to play for the club he supported as a kid.

“I’ll give everything I’ve got; I like to get on the ball. I was asked to play more of a defensive role last year at Dover but I do like to get box to box.

“I had a chat with the gaffer and the plans going forward for the season – there's going to be that freedom for lads to go out and play and express themselves and hopefully the city can have a team to be proud of.”

Woods also had spells with Chelsea, Yeovil Town and Hartlepool United.

“He’s a player I’ve admired for a long time,” said manager Watson. “He played against me at Hartlepool when he was at Gateshead – he was outstanding and I’ve kept an eye on him ever since.

“What’s great for a manager and fans I suppose is he really wants to play for York. Once we got chatting and talked about the direction we want to take the club he is somebody who that, like a lot of the players I’ve signed this pre-season, can comfortably play at this level and step up if and when we do.

“The main thing for me is that he is a goal threat, he is a leader and very good talker. The season before last for Hartlepool he was near double figures from midfield and that’s something we needed to improve on.”

The deal is subject to FA and National League approval.