Mac’s back as City chief Colin lands big Aussie target-man

10:00am Thursday 26th June 2008

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YORK City have signed Australian striker Daniel McBreen following his release by St Johnstone.

The 31-year-old forward, who spent a month on loan with the Minstermen from Scunthorpe last season, has become KitKat Crescent chief Colin Walker's sixth - and final - signing of the summer.

Walker also confirmed that McBreen was one of a small band of strikers he has targeted over the close season, including fellow City old boy Clayton Donaldson, ex-Kidderminster striker Justin Richards and Huddersfield's Luke Beckett.

McBreen scored against Stafford Rangers and Farsley Celtic during five appearances for City last October and November.

Then manager Billy McEwan wanted to extend the 6ft 1in target-man's loan period but Scunthorpe recalled him and he later joined Scottish first division outfit St Johnstone during the January transfer window.

He played seven matches for the Saints and scored during extra time in April's Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden Park only for Nacho Novo to equalise before the Glasgow giants went on to win 4-3 on penalties.

His stint with Saints was hampered by a knee injury and he struggled with a hamstring problem during the first of two seasons with Scunthorpe but Walker is looking forward to the qualities he will bring to the team.

The City boss said: "I had a shortlist of strikers and Daniel was high on it. Luke Beckett was as well and we also spoke to Clayton Donaldson and Justin Richards.

"Justin and Clayton did show an interest but there's only so much money we can spend and we've done fantastically to get Dan so I thank the board for allowing me to bring him here.

"He will bring professionalism and is a fantastic player to have in your dressing room.

"He's got an Australian spirit - he's mentally tough and has a winning mentality.

"He's got bags and bags of experience and I'm looking forward to working with him.

"He will be a favourite with the crowd because of his personality and the fact that he gives it his all on the pitch all the time."

McBreen is Walker's fourth 6ft-plus signing of the summer following the acquisitions of Michael Ingham (6ft 4in), Steven Hogg (6ft 3in) and Mark Greaves (6ft 1in), giving the Minstermen a greater aerial and physical presence than last season when the team's frailties were exposed at defensive set-pieces.

Walker added: "I'm a coach who believes in playing football but in this league you need people who can compete as well.

"You have to match teams physically and mentally and Dan falls into that bracket."

The former Falkirk forward's arrival will give Walker several options in attack where Craig Farrell, Onome Sodje, Richard Brodie and Martyn Woolford will contest starting places.

The City boss said: "Like other areas in the team, there will be competition in the front line which should enable us to play in different ways."

Walker also added that KitKat Crescent would not be besieged by trialists in contrast to previous pre-season campaigns with City's summer shopping, which also included the additions of Ben Wilkinson and Niall Henderson, now complete.

He said: "I wanted to get between four and eight new players and I've got exactly that. We've got a squad of 21 and there will be no trialists.

"I always had a plan to get everybody in so we can work with them from the very beginning of pre-season training next Wednesday."