YORK City’s new striker Jamie Reed could be thrust straight into FA Cup third round action at Premier League Bolton tomorrow.

Reed – the Welsh Premier League’s leading scorer this season with 17 goals – played his last game for Bangor City at Llanelli on Wednesday.

But the 23-year-old, who has agreed a two-and-a-half year contract, will make Gary Mills’ bench at the 28,000-capacity Reebok Stadium should international clearance for his transfer be received before noon today.

City have paid an undisclosed fee for the ex-Wrexham forward’s services having had two previous bids rejected and Mills is delighted to have ended a prolonged pursuit, saying: “I chased him a few weeks ago but was unable to get him in as Bangor did not want to let him go.

“They have done reluctantly now and we have had to pay a fee for him because, like me, they think he’s a good player and a goalscorer. He’s got a good goals-per-game ratio and is somebody I had on loan at Tamworth a few years back.

“We will be keeping the size of the fee between ourselves but we made two or three offers because strikers cost money and I rate him. I’d also like to say thank you to the chairman for enabling me to get him here.

Reed netted 24 times in 34 games last season for Bangor. He previously spent a year at Rhyl after being released by Wrexham in 2008 and also tried to break into Major League Soccer in the USA.

He has played club football in Australia and represented Wales as a semi-pro international.

Said Mills: “He’s a strong lad, well-built and stocky but also quick with good feet. He’s just touching 6ft and can play through the middle or out wide.”

The City boss also declared himself delighted with a busy week that secured the services of captain Chris Smith for another 18 months and midfielder Andre Boucaud until summer 2013, as well as extend Ashley Chambers’ loan stay from Leicester until the end of the season with the view to a permanent move in May.

Mills said: “They are all players who we feel will take us forward, so it’s nice to get them tied up. We’ve not finished yet either and have got a few other things to do.”

The City manager’s next aim is to ensure on-loan Sunderland midfielder Robbie Weir remains at Bootham Crescent for the rest of the season.