YORK City have sealed the return of defender Michael Duckworth from FC Halifax Town.

Raised in York, Duckworth began his footballing career at City before being released by the club in 2010.

Subsequent spells at Harrogate Railway Athletic, Bradford (Park Avenue), Hartlepool United, Fleetwood Town, Morecambe and FC Halifax Town have followed.

The 28-year-old opted to turn down a new deal at National League promotion contenders Halifax where he was a regular starter at either right-back or right wing-back. He also won the Halifax Courier's Player of the Season award for 2019-20.

Duckworth said: "It’s been in the pipeline for a bit now, obviously I was here as a kid, spent a lot of years here and now I just feel like it’s a bit of unfinished business," he said. 

“All my family live in York, I’ve recently moved house and have a little one now so everything fits really to be playing here.” 

Manager Steve Watson said: "He’s a really talented right-back; very good on the ball, very good with both feet, can chip in with goals – and a local lad. 

“I think it’s important we have a decent core of local lads; I know from my experience up in Newcastle that fans can empathise with lads from the same area."