Updated: CLARKE CARLISLE was hailed by York City boss Gary Mills as an “unbelievable professional” after the defender was unveiled as the marquee grab in a trio of transfer window signings.

The 32-year-old, the current chairman of the Professional Footballers’ Association, was training at Bootham Crescent today, where he was joined by experienced striker Scott Dobie and promising young Leeds United defender Charlie Taylor, who has signed on loan.

Mills moved quickly to sign free agent Carlisle following the injury to Chris Doig in the 3-1 win at Barnet on Saturday and he revealed the former QPR, Leeds, Watford and Burnley centre-back was eager to join the Minstermen having been released by the Clarets at the end of last season following a spell on loan at Northampton.

“I just felt it was vital that area was sorted,” Mills said.

“Clarke was available. He obviously wanted to get back and he is hungry about playing. I just feel it is right for me. He lives in Yorkshire and his career speaks for itself. He is still young and fit and it is perfect for me.

“He is so enthusiastic and has played at a good, good level. He is a leader and, even last season, he played a lot of games.

“He has done a lot of media in the last few months and is involved with the PFA. But he is already missing the day-to-day and certainly the match days. I decided to give him a call and he was down to talk to me before I knew it.

“He said he had butterflies and that he can’t wait to get into training. He brings experience and leadership and quality. He feels that York is the right club for him and I have given him that opportunity to come back.

“It’s not only right for him, but right for me and I think he’s an excellent signing.”

Carlisle’s experience is replicated by the 33-year-old Dobie, whose career has yielded six caps for Scotland and stints at West Brom, Millwall, Nottingham Forest and, most recently, a loan period at Bradford, before becoming a free agent.

Mills added: “I have been looking for his type of player and we had a good chat. He played with Des Lyttle at West Brom and he might take a couple of weeks to get where we want him to get to. He also brings experience and professionalism and can’t wait to get back and prove a few things this season.

“I had the opportunity to take a couple of inexperienced and younger strikers but I didn’t think it was the way forward for us and I just feel he is right for us.

“These are a couple of experienced players and bring the strength to help my squad.

“It’s about getting the mixture right and getting the right type of character to come in. Clarke is an unbelievable professional. He is a man who is respectful of what it is all about and that is the same with Scott.

“We haven’t gone for someone who has come for a meal ticket. It hasn’t gone right for Scott in the last couple of seasons but he is a true professional.”

York-born Charlie Taylor, who played for York Schoolboys, has a huge amount of promise, reckons Mills.

The 18-year-old made an instant impact on his League debut for Leeds, laying on the cross that led to Ross McCormack’s opener in a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace just under a year ago, and the City boss wants the left-back to immediately stake a claim for that berth.

“I want him to come in and challenge,” Mills explained. “I know what they think of him at Leeds. I have watched him a couple of times and he is a very, very good footballer. The opportunity is there for him and he lives in York.

“Leeds have been fantastic. I spoke to Neil Warnock who feels this move is right for the lad and, again, I feel he is a good signing.”