YORK City have signed full-backs Shaun Rooney and Alex Whittle from Dunfermline and Southport respectively.

Right-back Rooney, 19, has agreed a two-year contract after playing 14 times as Dunfermline won the Scottish League One title last season.

Ex-Liverpool apprentice Whittle, meanwhile, has penned a one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months after the 23-year-old left back ended the campaign just gone helping former City boss Andy Bishop stave off the threat of National League relegation with Southport.

The transfers are an attempt by City chief Jackie McNamara to bring more stability to a department of the team that saw seven contracted players and eight loan signings used in full-back positions last season.

None of those 15 – Josh Carson, Ben Godfrey, Femi Ilesanmi, Keith Lowe, Marvin McCoy, Eddie Nolan, Anthony Straker, Scot Bennett, Kyle Cameron, Luke Hendrie, Mark Kitching, Jordan Lussey, Stefan O'Connor, Lubo Satka and David Tutonda – are now on the Bootham Crescent books.

On his double swoop, McNamara said: "“I know a wee bit about Alex from his little spell in Scotland and he has a lot of pace and is quite a strong lad as well. At 23, he’s also at a good age to kick on with his career.

“Shaun is a big lad, who is 6ft 3in and a good athlete. He started at Dundee United as a kid when I was there, but was released by the academy, before going to Queen’s Park and doing really well.

“He’s also been at Dunfermline, while they were successful last season, so he comes to us with that expectation of winning. He’s 20 this summer and has real hunger and pace.

“He can also play as a right-sided centre back and I am looking for competition in every position, so we’re also hoping to sign another left back with that in mind.”

Rooney began his career with Dundee United but, after failing to make the breakthrough at Tannadice, moved to Scottish League Two side Queen's Park in 2013 during the early months of McNamara's reign at the Tangerines.

The 6ft 3in defender went on to make 42 appearances in all competitions for the Hampden Park outfit, helping them to the play-offs in his second season after netting four times in 30 outings.

Other honours included being named in the division's Team of the Year and voted the club's Young Player of the Year, before he joined Dunfermline last summer.

Whittle began his career with Liverpool at the age of six but, after spending 11 years with the Anfield giants, was released and went on to join the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain and the Nike Football Academy for the 2011/12 campaign.

During this time, he also featured as a trialist for Brighton, Hearts and then Dunfermline, where he signed a three-year deal in 2012.

He was converted from a winger into a left back by the Pars and made 99 appearances for the East End Park outfit before departing last summer.

A trial followed with Hartlepool but Whittle went on to sign for National League North outfit AFC Fylde, whom he scored for in the FA Cup against Millwall last season.

Following a short spell with the Lancashire outfit, he enjoyed seven outings with Southport after making a March switch.

Elsewhere, National League rivals Eastleigh have recruited David Pipe and Jake Howells from Forest Green and Luton respectively.

Wrexham have also signed Livingston striker Jordan White, who had previously been monitored by the Minstermen, while released Carlisle midfielder Anthony Sweeney has moved to Gateshead.