RELEASED York City midfielder Byron Webster is targeting Champions League football after a shock move to the Czech Republic.

Webster, 20, has signed a one-year deal with top-flight Czech team FK Siad Most just six months after having his contract terminated by mutual consent at KitKat Crescent.

The move means Webster will be taking on the likes of Sparta Prague and Banik Ostrava in the Gambrinus Liga next season and pitting his wits against former Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer and West Ham defender Tomas Repka, who are now plying their trade in their homeland.

Webster finished last season in the Conference North with Harrogate Town and had spoken to City's Blue Square Premier rivals Northwich Victoria and Stafford Rangers before the surprise call came from Eastern Europe.

He said: "I was on holiday with my girlfriend when an agent (Simon O'Neill) rang and said he had seen me play for Harrogate and wanted me to go to the Czech Republic.

"Most then asked me if I could go on a training camp in Italy with them, but I wasn't expecting to be offered a contract.

"When you hear that they play clubs like Sparta and Slavia Prague, you don't think you will be up to that standard. I was really treating it as a week to improve my fitness levels, so I was delighted to be offered a contract."

Webster has signed a one-year deal with the option of an extension until 2010 if both he and the club agree.

Most's 7,500-capacity stadium is situated 75km north of Prague and the club, founded in 1909, are currently enjoying the best spell in their history.

They were promoted to the Gambrinus Liga for the first time in 2005 and have finished tenth and 12th in the past two seasons.

In addition, the club managed to draw against champions Sparta Prague and beat runners-up Slavia Prague last season.

Most also boast former 1962 European Footballer of the Year Josef Masopust and Horst Siegl, the most prolific scorer in Gambrinus Liga history, as past players and, as well as following in the footsteps of the famous, Webster is joining a cosmopolitan team, sharing a dressing room with other players from New Zealand, Canada, Slovakia, France, Brazil, Bulgaria, Argentina, Belarus, Kenya and the USA.

Webster, who scored one goal in 22 appearances for City, has also been provided with an apartment, car and private tutor to help him learn the language.

The change in country has led to a change in position as well, with Most regarding their 6ft 5ins Englishman as a central defender.

About his new role, Webster said: "I first played there for Harrogate and I enjoy it although some of the forwards over here are quite quick. It's a good standard but you get a bit more time on the ball than in the Conference, where it's 100 miles an hour."