YORK City have swooped to pick up free agent John McCombe.

The 28-year-old centre half, who was recently released by the Minstermen's Sky Bet League Two rivals Mansfield, has signed at Bootham Crescent on a two-and-a-half year deal.

West Yorkshire-born McCombe joined the Stags on a free transfer from Port Vale in the summer, where he had made 206 appearances, scoring 16 goals.

But the 6ft 2in player, who has also had spells at Huddersfield and Hereford, has found opportunities hard to come by this season - restricted to just seven matches, the last of which was in Mansfield's 3-0 League Two defeat at Rochdale on Boxing Day.

The capture further strengthens City's backline after Keith Lowe signed a two-and-a-half year deal with York following a loan move from Cheltenham and after injury to Daniel Parslow and Chris Smith.

McCombe also gives York a goalscoring threat from set-pieces with 19 career goals, two of which came this season in the Stags' home loss to Accrington.

Manager Nigel Worthington said: "The chairman and myself have worked hard over the last month or so to try and bring John into the football club.

"We had to wait until the start of January to see where things were at Mansfield and we're absolutely thrilled to have John come and join us.

"He's an experienced player at League Two level, has played a wealth of games and has captained Port Vale during their promotion season.

"To have that within a group I've got great faith in already is very very valuable. Hopefully he can come here and do really well, not only for himself but for the football club as well." 

McCombe added: "I'm really excited. Obviously I'm glad to get it all done after working hard on it for the past week or so. I'm glad to be here and will be glad to be back playing football again.

"I'm someone who gives one hundred percent which hopefully the fans will appreciate. I'm just a good defender and hopefully a good leader too."