YORK City midfielder Paddy McLaughlin has become the first out-of-contract player to agree new terms for next season.

The 28-year-old has signed a two-year deal having left National League outfit Hartlepool United, after spending the last three months on loan with the Minstermen.

During that time, the ex-Northern Ireland under-21 international has made 15 appearances and netted three times.

McLaughlin also finished the campaign in a strong manner, claiming a goal or an assist in five of City’s last six fixtures.

The former Newcastle United reserve was previously a member of the Minstermen’s 2012 double-Wembley winning squad and also made 33 appearances during the club’s first season back in the Football League before leaving for Grimsby.

He later went on to play for Gateshead under current City boss Steve Watson, who is pleased to have secured his services for next season’s National League North campaign and the year beyond.

Watson said: “As soon as Paddy came in, he reminded us how good he was – not just playing, but with his professionalism and leadership skills and, in the last two games of the season, he was absolutely outstanding. We knew we wanted to move forward with him and hoped he would feel the same way.

“He loves the club and, now we have got Paddy on board for the next two seasons, it’s great news for everybody. He has a good affinity with the club and I think the fans really relate to him.

“He’s had success here before and, hopefully, he is going to play a big part in bringing success here again.”

McLaughlin added: “I am very, very happy to commit my future to the club. I have enjoyed the last few months and we have had a reasonably positive end to the season.

“There are definite signs of progress and it’s an exciting time to get on board. Everybody has just got to draw a line under this season and look forward to the next with lots of positivity and optimism that we can be successful.”

Watson, meanwhile, is planning to release full details of the club’s retained list tomorrow, when the fates of ten out-of-contract players - Adam Bartlett, Hamza Bencherif, Alex Harris, Simon Heslop, Alex Kempster, Macaulay Langstaff, Josh Law, Adriano Moke, Joe Tait and Ryan Whitley – is expected to be learned.