IN:
Scott Moloney (free) - Former Bury youth academy goalkeeper joins us after a season at Barrow in League Two where he was their backup goalkeeper, making 5 appearances in the league with an average rating of 6.86. He'll be our #1 'keeper this season.
Matt Challoner (free) - Matt joins York after a season at Southport in the National League North where he made 15 appearances in the League. That was his second spell with Southport, having previously been a regular for them in a 3 year stint at this level from 2013/14-2015/16. He's got nice stats for how we want to use him as an inverted wing back but lacks elsewhere, not sure exactly how it's going to pan out but we'll see.
Dylan Thompson (free) - Young central defender who can head, mark, tackle, jump and run fast enough, what more do you want at this level besides maybe a bit of extra strength? He's another who is a bit raw away from the main things I want him to do but that's fine, and he's got a long time ahead of him to become more rounded. Joins after being released by Everton without making any appearances for them. I've had Thompson before in FM 20 so am somewhat familiar with him, he's signed on as a breakthrough prospect and that's exactly what I see him as.
Jacob Mensah (free) - Jacob joins York after a season with Weymouth at this exact level, he started 18 league games for them last season and another 3 in the cups with an average rating of 6.78. Looks to be a solid central defender already for this league and as he's still young can hopefully improve further. He'll be a regular for us. He was on the books of Crystal Palace in the past after he caught their eye playing for Ramsgate.
Levi Laing (free) - He can play a bit of right back and defensive midfield too, but the plan is to use Levi in the heart of the defence alongside Jacob Mensah. Just been released by Arsenal and also had a stint at Brentford. No appearances yet, but we'll change that here.
Jacob Jones (free) - Joins after being released by Swansea, another player who has yet to make his senior debut. Currently the only player at the club I'm considering for the left-back role, he'll get plenty of playing time this season to aid his development.
Callum Evans (free) - After a year with Bath in the National League South, the versatile Evans takes a step back up to the National League. Whilst being a natural at right back, I see him mainly as a defensive midfielder here. Evans started out with Manchester United before spells at Macclesfield, Forest Green, Macclesfield again, Port Vale then Bath.
Saul Milovanovic (free) - Released by Norwich, picked up by us, Milovanovic made one substitue appearance for the canaries in the Championship last season. Signed with the intention of being competition for Evans in defensive midfield and has a chance to claim to that spot, Saul can also operate in central defence. Was on Huddersfield's books at one point.
Ryan De Havilland (free)- Central midfielder who joins after being released by Fulham. Ryan has spent time on loan with the Metropolitan Police side before, making 4 appearances for them.
Josh Giurgi (free) - A wide man who can play left or right, Giurgi joins after Norwich released him and is a former teammate of Milovanocic in their youth setup. An U19 Irish international who started his career with Leixlip United.
Owen Bray (free) - Another wide player who can play on either side, Bray joins after being released by Leeds where he failed to make a first-team appearance. Unusually tall for a winger he should be able to win plenty of headers at the far post, shame his actual heading ability is so bad!
Michael Tait (free) - Young forward Tait joins following his release from Aston Villa where he spent 4 years in the academy. Quite a quick player at this level, we'll be hoping he can put his pace to good use.
In on loan:
Ben Wyss (from Ipswich) - After spending last season on loan in the National League South with Hemels Hempstead, ben takes one step up in joining us for our National League campaign. He did well on that previous loan, hitting a 7.02 average rating so I'm hopeful he can handle this division too. He can play left back where we are currently short, but I'm seeing him as more of a rotation option at right back. Could just use him as general cover for either.
Warren Sung (from Accrington Stanley) - Yet to make his senior debut, that will surely change here after joining us on loan. Central midfield attack is meant to be his best position and role which is handy as that's exactly we'll be using him as. Fighting it out with Ryan De Havilland to make that position his own.
Chris Conn-Clarke (from Fleetwood) - Conn-Clarke joins the club on a season-long loan deal. Can operate on either flank and spent last season on loan with Kiddeminster in the National League North. Intending to use him mostly on the right here. He started out with Glentoran before spending a couple a years with Burnley ahead of joining Fleetwood. I've signed him in a previous save, can't remember if in FM20 or 21, needs a haircut.
Joe Rodwell-Grant (from Preston) - Joe , a young striker joins the Minstermen for the duration of the season. Will be making him part of the first-choice XI at first and see how he goes. He's yet to make his senior debut and scored 9 goals in non-competitive football for Preston last season.
Youth signings:
Signed a couple of youngsters from Carlisle after they transfer listed them for £0 and my scouts liked them.
Kyle Clark is a 15 year-old AMR/ST with a 1 star current rating, 5 star potential.
Sam Fishburn a 17 year-old forward with exactly the same scouting report.
Out:
Loads of players but this is already too long so not listing them all. The 3 most significant I'd say were:
Harry Bunn (released) - ML/AML/AMC who scored 5 and assisted 4 for us last campain in 27 appearnces in all comps, average rating of 7.00. Would have renewed but he had a few injuries last season and he wanted a lot of money.Has joined Swindon in League Two.
Bondz N'Gala (released) -Central defender who started when available for us last year. He did get some suspensions but ended up starting 35 times in all comps, scoring 6 goals when going forward for set -pieces with an average rating of 6.96. Would have renwed him too but he wanted a 3-year deal and at the age of 31 I wasn't going to do that.
Gregor Zabret (Bosman) - Goalkeeper who scored a 7.00 last season altogether. 42 appearances, 19 clean sheets. Lost him on a Bosman deal where I couldn't offer him the money he wanted as we were over bidget mid-way through the season. Shame as he's better than what we have now.
