NEW signing Lewis Montrose is eager to add a third promotion-winning campaign to his CV after joining York City.

The 24-year-old central midfielder played 18 games for League Two champions Gillingham last season, having also figured 40 times in Wycombe’s automatic ascent from the same division in 2010/11.

After he signed a two-year deal at Bootham Crescent, despite interest from Southend United among others, Manchester-born Montrose said: “I have been part of two promotion sides now and I am looking now to get a third promotion.

“That is what I want to do. I want to play as high as possible.”

Working with City manager Nigel Worthington was a major draw for Montrose, who said: “It’s a great opportunity to work with a very experienced manager.

“I’m looking forward to the new season now. I just want to get back into training.

“There were a few clubs interested in me, but I am happy to be signed up here and looking forward to it.”

The 6ft 3in tall Montrose promised the City faithful “100 per cent” commitment, declaring: “I am a 100 per cent player. I enjoy making tackles and keeping it simple. That’s it really.

“I’m not known for my goals, but I pop up on the odd occasion. That’s something I would like to improve on.”

From the age of nine to 16, Montrose was on the books of hometown club Manchester City, before moving on to Wigan Athletic.

During his spell with the Latics he was loaned out to Rochdale, Cheltenham (twice) and Chesterfield. After failing to break into the first team at the DW Stadium, he joined Wycombe ahead of the 2009/10 season and made a total of 55 league and cup appearances.

Following Wycombe’s promotion to League One, Montrose signed for Gillingham on a free transfer, playing 61 games for the Gills over two seasons.

He joined Oxford United on loan in January, playing in a 0-0 Kassam Stadium draw with the Minstermen in February, but did not figure in the run-in due to injury.

Montrose arrived at Bootham Crescent with the aim of securing more regular first-team football.

“Any footballer wants to play football,” he said. “You don’t want to play a bit part.”

Worthington was delighted to add another “piece to the jigsaw” as the countdown to the new campaign stepped up.

“We did our homework and spoke to people, and he got rave reviews wherever he has played,” he said.

“He’s got size, strength and ability, and will be a huge asset in terms of what we are trying to do.

“We’ve now got Lewis, Craig Clay and Tom Platt in that area who are all fantastic athletes – very strong and energetic.

“I want athletes. You’ve got to be athletic now. Lewis is going to come in and be another piece of the jigsaw.”

Worthington is still keen to add “one or two” more players to his squad, adding: “I am delighted with the group we have got. We’ve had four days of pre-season so far and the attitude and work-rate has been phenomenal.

“I want to get people in soon because we want the group to bond together. We don’t want people to miss too much pre-season, because you need that in the tank.”

The City boss expressed an interest in Torquay striker Rene Howe and Barnet frontman Jake Hyde last month, but said a lack of progress made it unlikely that either deal would come to fruition.

On Southend centre-back Ryan Cresswell, he said: “As I have said, we admire Ryan and would love to get him on board. We’ve made our feelings known, but if Southend don’t want to let him go, there is nothing we can do about it.”