Updated: BEN Purkiss has signed a new deal with York City and manager Martin Foyle is “delighted” that the former Sheffield United reserve has committed his future to the club.

The 25-year-old right-back was out of contract at Bootham Crescent and entitled to a free transfer under the Bosman ruling.

But Purkiss has agreed improved terms to stay with the Minstermen next season, although Foyle has also made up his mind not to retain the services of club captain Mark Greaves for 2009/10.

About Purkiss’ decision, the City boss said: “I’m delighted because Ben’s a very good footballer and we want to play a lot more football than we did last season, so having the right personnel in the right places is important. His attitude during the last two months of the season was fantastic and he played very well.

“We are trying to improve the defensive side of his game and he’s responded to that, so I’m sure he will push on next season. He’s also a decent size and you need that to ensure you have enough markers at set-pieces.

“But we still need to bring somebody else in who can play in his position as we have no cover for him if he’s injured.”

Foyle also admitted the club are targeting another central defender after missing out on Ebbsfleet’s Darius Charles after a £10,000 bid and deciding against keeping right-footer Greaves.

He said: “It was a very, very tough decision with Mark because he’s a super pro and, if I can do anything to help him get sorted elsewhere, I will do.

“We just want to freshen up the whole place and, while he wants to play at the back, we’ve got our eyes on bringing in a left-footed centre-half.”

Foyle also expressed his frustration at the process by which Ebbsfleet’s MyFootballClub’s owners rejected the offer for former Brentford defender Charles.

City’s approach was the subject of an internet vote among MyFC’s on-line subscription members and overwhelmingly opposed.

Foyle added: “It’s hard to do business there because, at any other club, you would get a response that would take everything into consideration.

“It’s not ideal for players either when the supporters are making decisions on where you can go.”

City are now waiting to learn whether striker Onome Sodje will accept the new contract offered to him at the end of last season.

“I haven’t heard from him,” Foyle said.

“It’s up to him to contact me and then we will take it from there.”

The manager, meanwhile, declined to confirm or deny whether City were also the unnamed club that had a £30,000 bid for Ebbsfleet striker Michael Gash rejected.