STEVE MCNULTY says he had a few options after leaving Tranmere Rovers - but chose York City for the challenge of helping the club achieve their ambitions.

A self-proclaimed winner, the 35-year-old defender Tranmere to back-to-back promotions to League One from National League before leaving Prenton Park at the end of last term.

Including his time in the Liverpool youth teams, McNulty is entering his 30th season of football, with City his eighth club.

"I love the game," McNulty said simply on keeping his enthusiasm alive. "I'm lucky enough to have played with some good teams and been successful.

"I'm a winner and I want to keep winning and playing for another three years.

"I'm hungrier than ever.

"I've been at clubs similar to York, I've helped them get back up the leagues and that's what I want to do at York.

"I'm still very ambitious.

"I had other offers from teams closer to home but none are as big as York.

"I've been in this position before and helped teams back up the divisions.

"I want a challenge, I didn't want to go somewhere and play for the season.

"The club and manager are great and ambitious. I still want more promotions and hopefully I can do that with York."

McNulty brings promotion pedigree to Bootham Crescent. As well as the two promotion play-off finals victories with Tranmere, McNulty also helped Barrow up to the Conference Premier in 2009 and Fleetwood Town up to League Two over two seasons from Conference North.

He has been hailed as a leader by many who have worked with him - including City boss Steve Watson.

"I think that's just my character on the pitch," McNulty said.

"Any time I'm on the pitch, I will do anything to win a game of football.

"That's just part of my mentality, it's who I am.

"I'll be going out on the pitch trying to lead the team.

"I'm the oldest player there, I've played most games, I'll have the most experience.

"But I'm not deluded. I can learn off the players in the team now - you're never the finished article.

"You never stop learning and I can learn off the younger players and the manager. All in all, it's a good fit.

"I can pass a bit of knowledge onto the players. Some players will listen, others won't, but if I see something I can help with, I'll try and pass on my knowledge.

"There are some really, really good players here," he added. "I've been very impressed with the standard.

"I just think it's important to have a good team spirit - that will get us another 10, 12, 15 points. The gaffer's big on that.

"Apart from that, we've got good young players who probably have ambitions to play at a higher level - and hopefully they will with York."

City start their pre-season campaign tomorrow evening (7pm) at home to Leeds United.

On stepping out onto the Bootham Crescent turf in City colours for the first time, he said: "I've played there against York many times and always loved the atmosphere.

"It's a good, old league ground, a proper ground, and I can't wait to get out there and make the first of many appearances.

"We'll be going out there tomorrow to get minutes, come out unscathed and get back into training on Friday."