LUKE Simpson is looking to become York City's first choice goalkeeper after signing a two year deal at Bootham Crescent.

The former Watford goalkeeper joined the Minstermen yesterday after impressing on trial in a pre-season friendly against Bolton Wanderers.

Manager Jackie McNamara had been looking for a challenger to Scott Flinders since Michael Ingham opted to reject a new deal and quit the club at the start of the summer.

Simpson, who was released by Watford at the end of last season, said: "I am really excited by this move. This is probably the biggest club in the National League and I want to help it get back where it belongs.

"Ideally, I want to play," he added. "Whatever I have got to do to make that happen I will do. I have got to work hard and take my chances if and when I get them."

Both Simpson and Flinders are set to be given 90 minutes of action as York continue their pre-season programme against Doncaster Rovers, at home tonight, and Harrogate Town, away tomorrow.

The Minstermen then have one remaining friendly, at home to Newcastle United on Saturday, before McNamara decides who starts the season in goal against Maidstone United on August 6.

"I need to do well when I get game time and I will do my best," said Simpson. "I feel really wanted here. They have got a really good team morale and the manager is pleased with how I have fitted in with the team spirit at the club."

Simpson, who hails from Manchester, began his career with Oldham Athletic and during his first season was loaned out to both Workington and Leicester City. He played nine games for Accrington Stanley before joining Watford last summer but never played for the Premier League club.

McNamara says Simpson will be his last pre-season signing after bringing a total of 20 new players to the club this summer.

"I am delighted to get this deal done and now I want Luke to put Scott under pressure," said McNamara. "I am really pleased with the players we have been able to bring into the club this summer."

Midfielder Simon Heslop, meanwhile, thinks York's team spirit will be one of their biggest strengths this season.

York-born Heslop arrived at the club this summer after rejecting an opportunity to stay at National League rivals Wrexham.

"If you look at Cheltenham last season, I don't think they had the best individual players in the league - but team spirit saw them through and they won the league quite comfortably.

"The team spirit here is looking really good. All the new lads have come together well.

"We want to work for each other and there is plenty of good banter flying about in the dressing room.

"We are having little digs at each other - but in the right ways," he stressed. "We are also telling each other when we are not quite at it as well - which hasn't been a problem, people have been taking that in the right way.

"We are only three weeks in and the bond is still growing. The games will come thick and fast in this league and our team spirit is going to be a massive thing."

Looking ahead to tonight's friendly against Doncaster (kick-off 7pm), Heslop said: "It is going to be another tough test - playing a team in a division above us.

"But against Bolton at the weekend, we could have got a result. We know we can get a result against Doncaster. We shouldn't fear too many teams when we are playing at home."