AMBITIOUS York City’s summer forays into the transfer market are a clear “statement of intent” according to latest recruit Lanre Oyebanjo.

As revealed on Saturday, the 21-year-old right-back was unveiled as manager Gary Mills’ eighth new signing.

After rejecting relegated Histon’s offer of a new contract, the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international penned a two-year deal at Bootham Crescent.

That took Mills’ business to three signings in three days after the arrival of midfielders Michael Potts and Adriano Moké.

The Minstermen have also brought in strikers Jason Walker and Liam Henderson, wingers Ashley Chambers and Matty Blair, plus goalkeeping player-coach Paul Musselwhite.

Oyebanjo said: “Looking at who has been brought in, it is a statement of intent, and I’m looking forward to meeting all the lads. They have signed quality players and they’ve got good players here already. It’s important knowing that you can trust your peers.

“Promotion is our goal – we all want to win and try to get there. You’ve got to have that as your end goal.”

London-born Oyebanjo was on West Ham’s books between the ages of ten and 16, but was not offered a scholarship at Upton Park. While studying for A-Levels, the defender had a season with Waltham Forest before being snapped up by Brentford.

Oyebanjo progressed from the Bees’ youth team into the first-team squad but joined Histon in the summer of 2008 without making a senior appearance.

After making his debut as a substitute at Mansfield, he enjoyed his first Histon start in a 1-1 draw with York at Bootham Crescent in August 2008.

During his 112 appearances across three seasons, Oyebanjo saw the Stutes suffer deepening financial woes, culminating in their demotion from the Blue Square Bet Premier.

“The first season with Histon was successful, getting to the play-offs, but hopefully I can go a step further with York and get promotion,” he said.

“The financial problems really took a toll at Histon last season and that’s really why they got relegated. But this is a new challenge for me and I’m looking forward to training hard and fighting for a place in the team.”

Oyebanjo has been part of the Republic of Ireland set-up for three seasons, captaining the U19s against Sweden in a European Championship qualifier before graduating to the U21s.

“I made my under-21s debut at the beginning of the season before last and it’s always a massive honour to represent your country,” said Oyebanjo, who has an Irish mother and Nigerian father.

During his time at Histon, the 6ft 1in tall defender was studying for a degree in maths and finance at the University of London.

He said: “I could put that on hold for a year or make it an evening thing. I’ve not completely decided on that.

“I always thought that if the right opportunity came along, I would make football my number one focus.”