YORK City have signed Stalybridge Celtic defender Jack Higgins for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old has penned a two-year contract at Bootham Crescent and joins Richard Brodie as Jackie McNamara's first summer captures.

Former Rushden & Diamonds trainee Higgins began his senior career with Northern Premier League Division One North outfit Clitheroe and, following three campaigns there, in which he captained the side for two, he moved up a level to Northern Premier League premier division outfit Ashton United.

During his time at Hurst Cross, Higgins became vice-captain before being named the club’s Player of the Year and the division's Defender of the Year in 2015.

National League North club Stalybridge swooped for his services last summer and the 6ft 3in centre half netted 13 times in 50 appearances to finish last term as the club’s leading goalscorer.

As part of the deal, the Minstermen will play a pre-season friendly away to Stalybridge on July 16, kick-off 3pm.