YORK City’s transfer business has begun with the signings of Robbie Tinkler and Scott Barrow.

Versatile defensive player Tinkler, who can operate at defensive midfield, centre back or right back, played 30 times in the National League for Aldershot Town last season and was the club’s vice-captain.

The former Middlesbrough academy talent has rejected interest from elsewhere to sign for York.

Barrow meanwhile turned down a new deal with City’s National League North promotion rivals Gateshead, where he spent three seasons and captained the side.

The 31-year-old left-back began his career at the Swansea City academy and, having began his professional career in the Welsh Premier League, he moved to England in 2010 when signing for Tamworth.

He has since spent time at Football League side Newport County, Macclesfield Town, Merthyr Town and Gateshead, making over 100 appearances for the latter.

Both players worked with manager Steve Watson during his time at Gateshead and the York boss expressed his delight at being able to link up with the duo once again.

Watson said: “If you’ve worked with players before and you’re keen to make them a part of what you are doing it speaks volumes for what I think of them and Micky (Cummins),” said Watson.

“We are looking at lads who can kick on.

“We don’t want to be releasing a dozen players every year.

“What I’m doing is trying to put a squad together to challenge to not only win this league but who I know can compete higher – that’s the aim.

“If you look at what Simon (Weaver) has done at Harrogate, that squad has been together for three, four, five years in the making and they have achieved their goal.

“I don’t want it to take that long but I want to put a squad together that we can build on going forward.

Tinkler highlighted the influence of Watson in bringing him to the promotion challengers for next term. The 24-year-old said: “It was massive, he was one of the things that did sway the decision.

“I know what he expects and he knows what he is going to get from me and hopefully we can go on to win the league this year.

“I won’t say anything on position but what I will say is wherever I do play I’m going to work hard, it’s part of my game which is a given, and hopefully we can go forward and I can lead the team whether that’s with or without the armband.”

Barrow said: “It’s a club I wanted to sign for and when I got that phone call it was a no brainer really.

“It was a big decision; I’ve been at Gateshead for three years and I was loyal – over the years I could have gone elsewhere – it didn’t go quite the way I planned for the coming season.

“York are a massive club and I’m looking forward to the challenge, the one thing I am missing is a promotion and hopefully this year I can get that done.”

The new signings are subject to FA and National League approval.