YORK CITY boss Russ Wilcox has hailed the twin capture of midfielder James Berrett and goalkeeper Scott Flinders as a "great bit of business" and believes their signings can attract more high-quality players to come to Bootham Crescent.

The pair were unveiled as Wilcox, and chairman Jason McGill, ended several weeks of work to convince the highly-rated duo their futures lay with the League Two outfit.

Berrett, 26, has arrived on a two-year deal after his contract with League One relegated outfit Yeovil Town was terminated, while Flinders - who Wilcox said had turned down offers from a number of League One clubs to sign for York - has penned a one-year contract with an option for another 12 months.

The 29-year-old keeper spent six years at Hartlepool, where he made 276 appearances - the most in the club's history - and was captain as they performed a great escape to avoid League Two relegation last season.

"I think the key word is experience," said Wilcox when asked what both players brought to the club.

"You look at the amount of games these two lads have played, certainly over the last few years, and Scott has 180 league games over the last four seasons. James has had a little spell on the sidelines early last season but, before that, he played 200 games at Carlisle.

"I look through the group now and there is some good experience in there. We have three centre-halves who have played 1,000 games between them. That's the way we are trying to go this season."

Wilcox continued: "It's a great bit of business. The proof will be in the pudding when they perform but there is great opportunity for them to do that because they have done that year in and year out for their previous clubs."

On Berrett, Wilcox said: "He should be in his prime. James has played all his career in League One and that's where we want to be as a football club.

"We are trying to recruit in the right way. It is adding goals and a bit more creativity. At home, when teams come and sit deep and make it more difficult, it is important to have somebody there who has got that killer pass."

Wilcox added of Flinders: "We are delighted because there have been offers from other League One clubs that he has turned down. He has seen the vision we are trying to create here at York City - regarding the new stadium.

"We are going to push to try and be at that top end of the table next season, or at least improve on what we did last season. That's a must, certainly at home. It's a really good signing.

"He was a keeper that was sold to Crystal Palace from Barnsley, with appearances included, for up to £1million. I don't think he went for that price but it just shows you the capability he has got and the experience he has got now under his belt bodes well for us at York City."

City fans have had to be patient as Wilcox has strived to put together his squad under a tight budget but the Minstermen manager believes the addition of Berrett and Flinders is proof of the club's ability to attract in-demand players.

"It's important to bring the right players and the right people to the football club," he said.

"It would have been very simple for me to go out and pluck five signings and tick the boxes regarding everything. But there has been some hard work that has gone before in this previous few weeks - certainly with these two players - to get them across the line because there has been competition there.

"There have been quite a few clubs wanting their signatures but we have sold the club well, the chairman and I, and the vision of the football club. Hopefully these two can add that experience and push us on to better things.

"If you put these on the back of the loan signings we brought in last year - Shaq Coulthirst, as an example, from Tottenham Hotspur - then we have got contacts around many clubs.

"I think when players look from afar, and they look at the calibre of player you are bringing in, it makes them more excited to go join your football club."