STRIKER Jake Hyde says York City's pursuit of his signature is a "massive" reason why he has decided to join the Bootham Crescent club.

The 23-year-old hitman has agreed personal terms over a three-year deal and the former Barnet forward has indicated that the Minstermen's desire to sign him last season was a key factor in his decision to move north.

Being under 24, a Football League tribunal will determine a compensation package between City and the Conference outfit before he officially puts pen to paper but manager Nigel Worthington has finally got his man after having watched him several times.

Last September, the York chief said he had been considered as a transfer prospect in the summer but had not bid - believing the fee then required for him would be too much for the club.

But Maidenhead-based Hyde noted the interest and said it had been a major in his decision to choose York.

"It was massive for me," he said. "When a club shows an interest in you over the course of a year, that shows great loyalty. It's great to feel wanted at a club that wants you that much and you want to show that loyalty back.

"They have shown me in the last 12 months, in trying to sign me, how much they wanted me and I want to return the favour and give them everything I have got.

"York got to the play-offs last year and I feel they are definitely on the up. They had a fantastic season last year and have made some fantastic signings this time. The club in general has got great ambition and is looking forward. That was a massive thing for me in signing.

"I would not if I didn't think they had a fantastic chance of getting promotion."

Having scored 12 times in 27 appearances for the Bees last sesaon and 15 in 31 when Barnet were relegated in the Football League - including a strike in a 2-1 win at York - Hyde promises to form part of a formidable strike force with Wes Fletcher.

Embracing the "new challenge" at York, he said: "Every professional wants to see the level that they can play at. I have played at League Two for a couple of years and what attracted me to York was the ambition of the club, how quickly they are moving forward and how well they did last season.

"I have been keeping an eye on them for a while and think the chairman and manager have done a fantastic job. They are pushing the team in the right direction and I am looking forward to joining the club."

On his own qualities, Hyde said: "I would like to think it's my movement in the box and my confidence. I always feel that if the ball is coming in from wide areas I am going to be the first one there - if a ball comes in, it is going to be my ball. I have got that momentum and desire.

"I scored 15 goals in League 2 from 31 starts and last season I had a couple of injuries that didn't help and was out for a total of four months. This is a new challenge for me and I am very much looking forward to my time at York.

"There is fantastic future and promise and, if we can kick on again, fingers crossed we can move into League One. I am looking forward to kicking on in my career and working under Nigel Worthington is a massive plus for me.

"When the club made a bid, I watched them throughout the season and watched them become a side that people don't like to play against. York are a very hard to beat side and that is purely down to the manager, his beliefs and his football.

"I am really looking forward to working with him."