ATTACKING midfielder Alex Meechan has become York City manager Billy McEwan's seventh signing of the summer.

Meechan, 27, ended last season at League Two outfit Chester City but now joins fellow new boys Onome Sodje, Mark Robinson, Paul Brayson, Stuart Elliott, Chris Beardsley and Phil Turnbull at KitKat Crescent.

The 5ft 8ins schemer, who can also play as a forward, joined Chester in January after a third spell with Blue Square Premier outfit Forest Green Rovers.

He has twice reached double figures for goals in a season with Rovers and also represented Dagenham, Leigh RMI and Halifax at the same level, scoring against the Minstermen in a televised 2-0 victory for the Shaymen early in McEwan's reign.

Having made his debut for Swindon in the Championship at Wolves as a 17-year-old, Plymouth-born Meechan moved on to Bristol City where he netted four times in five League starts but was allowed to leave for Forest Green after 18 months at Ashton Gate.

He played in the FA Trophy final at Villa Park for Green and City boss McEwan is hoping that Meechan's acquisition, along with that of Elliott from Northwich, will bring experience to his engine room following the departures of Steve Bowey, Neal Bishop, Mark Convery and Lewis McMahon this summer.

He said: "Allie is a right-sided midfielder who is forward thinking and will bring experience and quality to our squad."

Turnbull's signing from Hartlepool has also increased McEwan's options in the middle of the park, with the City boss adding: "He's just turned 20 but he's a young player who is confident on the ball. Like his twin brother Stephen, he is a good footballer and he's looking to kick start his career now.

"He's been training with us since we came back for pre-season and, having also seen him play for Hartlepool reserves, I saw enough at close quarters to bring him in."

McEwan now has a squad of 18 but is looking to make further additions with another new face possible before the pre-season programme kicks off at home to Leeds United on Friday.