TEENAGE striker Lev Yalcin has decided to commit his future to York City after turning down moves to overseas club.

Yalcin, 19, enjoyed a successful two-week trial spell at Antalyaspor this summer but has opted against a transfer to the Turkish First Division team and he has also rejected the chance to join Manchester United's Belgian feeder club Royal Antwerp.

Instead, the Turkish youth international will sign first-year professional terms with the Minstermen and battle for a regular first-team place this season.

About his decision to sign, Yalcin said: "I have been abroad over the summer and it has been a good experience to see what other clubs do around the world and get used to it. I had two weeks at Antalyaspor and it was a good set-up but the lifestyle was very different to over here.

"It would have been hard with the language and I did not know that many people whereas, here, I get on well with a lot of the lads, including the people who have been brought in.

"I had a chat with Chris Brass after coming back from Turkey and he's been great to me and has helped me with a family situation I have got at the moment. Ever since coming back, I have enjoyed training and I think it's better here than it was last season. Hopefully, I can work hard, do well, pay the manager back for what he's done for me and help get the team back into the Third Division."

Yalcin is still waiting for his first senior goal for City in 20 appearances and realises competition for forward places will be tough next season with new signings Andy Bishop and Paul Robinson, as well as assistant manager Lee Nogan all in contention.

About his new rivals for an attacking spot, Yalcin said: "They are decent players and are obviously experienced so they know what they are doing. I can learn from them and, hopefully, it will raise my game playing with them.

"I'm just hoping to get a few games under my belt and score a few goals, as well as getting in the starting eleven when the new season kicks off. I missed pre-season last year but, hopefully, this time around I will be fit, ready and sharper this season."

Brass believes the club's summer signings and a more positive atmosphere around Bootham Crescent helped sway Yalcin's mind.

The City boss said: "Lev has agreed a new contract. He wanted the opportunity to have a look at things and I gave him the deadline of the weekend.

"I think he's gone away and realised that, with the calibre of players now here, it will possibly be different to last season. He did enjoy it here last season but, at the moment, there's certainly a nice feeling of optimism.

"Before a ball has been kicked in the new season, we are talking about being at the right end of the table rather than staving off relegation. Because of that it puts everybody in a positive frame of mind from the onset. Lev has sensed that and that's why he wants to stay with us.

"Hopefully, we can progress his career and he's now got to look to stay in the first team."

Updated: 10:57 Wednesday, July 28, 2004