RUSSELL PENN is looking forward to joining forces again with former team-mate Luke Summerfield in York City’s midfield engine room.

The pair last lined up together for Cheltenham Town in 2011/12 and forged an understanding that helped take the Robins to within 90 minutes of promotion via the SkyBet League Two play-off final.

Penn and Summerfield enjoyed 19 wins during the 35 games they featured in the same starting XI that campaign and, on the possibility of revisiting that partnership, the enthusiastic City skipper said: “We had one season together and got to the play-off final before losing to a very good Crewe team.

“Luke played alongside me and Marlon Pack, who is at Bristol City now. We enjoyed it, had a great season and I think he will be a great addition to the squad.

“He can play a bit more of a forward, advanced role than me and he scored a few goals in that season at Cheltenham. We played as a three in midfield back then, but can work well as a pair too.”

Summerfield is one of eight players City have brought in over the summer with all of them aged between 23 and 26 - a policy that Penn feels will guarantee a hunger for success in next season’s squad.

Giving his thoughts on Summerfield and fellow new arrivals Femi Ilesanmi, Jason Mooney, Jake Hyde, Anthony Straker, Marvin McCoy, Dave Winfield and Lindon Meikle, Penn said: “All the signings have been very good.

“They are all very experienced at League Two level but young and hungry too. They are players who want to progress in their careers and are willing to work really hard.

“That’s what we are trying to get here. The squad we are building is a hard-working one, so everyone knows where they stand.”