ONOME Sodje walked out of York City on a free transfer after the Bootham Crescent club had succesfully campaigned against him being deported to Nigeria.

The Minstermen are now unlikely to receive a compensation fee from Sodje’s new club Barnsley because the 20-year-old striker has spent the last two seasons playing on a non-contract basis due to his lack of a work permit.

During that time, City have fought on his behalf to secure permanent residency in the UK and, despite indefinite leave not normally being granted to players outside the Football League, Sodje’s appeal to the Home Office was finally accepted in April.

The Minstermen, who also enlisted support from the Archbishop of York and York MP Hugh Bayley for Sodje, promptly honoured the two-year contract offer they had promised as part of the player’s defence, but the former Charlton trainee declined to sign it, paving the way for Championship outfit Barnsley to secure his services for free.

City are hoping the exceptional circumstances might mean the club still receive a compensation fee for the Lagos-born forward, who scored 24 goals in 100 games for the Blue Square Premier side but was a regular on the bench under Martin Foyle.

An FA spokesman explained, however, that would be unlikely, saying: “If the player was not under contract at York then there is no obligation of compensation between the clubs.”

A club statement, meanwhile, outlining Sodje’s situation over the past four-and-a-half years, read: “York City planned to sign Onome Sodje on a normal contract basis in 2007, but were unable to as he did not have UK residency. He was therefore signed on a non-contract basis and paid expenses.

“Onome had attempted to obtain indefinite leave to remain in the UK, but was turned down by the Home Office in December 2004. His appeal against that decision was then rejected in August 2006.

“York City decided to work on the player’s behalf to obtain indefinite leave or a work permit only to be informed work permits cannot be granted to players outside the Football League.

“The club’s parent company JM Packaging then provided £5,000 to cover the legal costs required to further his case.

“Written support was also obtained for Onome’s case from the Archbishop of York and York MP Hugh Bayley, given on the basis that, when he obtained indefinite leave, Sodje would sign a contract with York City. To strengthen his case, the club also offered Sodje a two-year contract with a one-year option.

“After much lobbying and thanks to the club’s efforts, Sodje was granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK in April 2009 on the condition he would sign a contract with York City and was formally reoffered a contract at this point. The player did not reply to this offer and we were not informed he intended to join another club.”

The Minstermen acquired Sodje on a free transfer from Gravesend and Northfleet in the summer of 2007 and, while admitting the circumstances of his latest transfer might be unfortunate, Barnsley general manager Don Rowing sees no reason why his club will be required to pay a fee.

He said: “We have confirmed with York City that Onome Sodje was there on a non-contract basis. We appreciate there are reasons why that was the case and that they would have signed him on otherwise but he arrived on our doorstep and, after discussions, we decided to offer him a contract until June 30, 2010.

“As far as compensation is concerned, because he wasn’t on a contract with York we don’t believe there will be any. Unfortunately, football is like that.

“These anomalies happen throughout the leagues and somebody loses out sometimes but the player wanted to move on and we didn’t approach him.”

Sodje was unavailble for comment last night.

York City statement

Statement “regarding Onome Sodje and his relationship with York City”:

* Onome Sodje signed for York City in July 2007. He had previously played for Ebbsfleet and Charlton.

* York City planned to sign Onome Sodje on a normal contract basis, but we were unable to do this as he did not have UK residency. Onome Sodje is Nigerian by birth. He was therefore signed on a non-contract basis and paid expenses.

* Onome Sodje had attempted to obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, but was turned down by the Home Office in December 2004. He subsequently appealed to the Home Office, but his appeal was rejected in August 2006.

* York City decided to work on Onome Sodje’s behalf to try to obtain a work permit for the player or Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. We were informed work permits cannot be granted to footballers playing outside the Football League.

* York City then decided to help Onome Sodje obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK and the club’s parent company, JM Packaging, provided £5,000 to cover the legal costs required to further his case. York City also obtained written support for Onome Sodje’s case from the Archbishop of York and York MP Hugh Bayley. This support was given on the basis that when Indefinite Leave to Remain was obtained Onome Sodje would sign a contract with York City.

* To strengthen Onome Sodje’s case, York City offered the player a two-year contract with a one-year option.

* After much lobbying and thanks to York City’s efforts, Onome Sodje was granted Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK in April 2009 on the basis he would sign a contract with York. He was formally re-offered a contract at this point. Onome Sodje did not reply to this offer and we were not informed he intended to join another club.

* York City confirms in January 2008 they received an offer for Onome Sodje from Barnsley. The total deal was worth £100,000. York City was unable to accept this offer due to Onome’s status in the UK and because he could therefore not sign a playing contract.

* York City has been discussing the issue with the Football Association and it is likely the case will go to tribunal taking into account the exceptional circumstances surrounding this player.