YORK City summer signing Stuart Elliott is hoping the 26th club of an incredibly nomadic career will be his last.

London-born Elliott, 29, has travelled the length and breadth of the country to play football since being offered an apprenticeship by Newcastle after his release by Arsenal at the age of 15.

During five years as a professional at St James' Park, he was loaned out to seven clubs, and has also played for Durham City, Hartlepool, Darlington, Carlisle and Gateshead in the north-east.

At the opposite end of the country, he has turned out for Exeter, Plymouth and Swindon, as well as fellow southern-based outfits Bournemouth, Gillingham, Harrow Borough and Waltham Forest.

Amazingly, Elliott has also been on the books of Welsh clubs Wrexham and Merthyr Tydfil, and secured employment at both ends of the M62 with Hull City and Stockport.

In addition, Elliott's odyssey has taken in trials at Scunthorpe and Kidderminster, as well as an inactive loan spell with Dundee.

Now, after a relative period of stability during two seasons at Northwich, the 5ft 8ins midfielder, who will combine playing for City with running his own business in Newcastle and coaching the Toon's under-13 academy team, is hoping to lay down permanent roots.

He said: "I'm definitely looking to settle down with one club. I feel I've been a bit unlucky down the years and, in one season, I was at three clubs that went into administration so you can't help that.

"I really enjoyed my time at Northwich, but York are a big club at this level and it's my aim to go somewhere now and stay there.

"It's never been my intention to go from one club to another, but it's always been a case of money problems or new managers coming in with different opinions. Coming to York is a dream move for me in terms of location.

"I've also had so much positive feedback about the manager from people who know him."

The well-travelled Elliott has played for Swindon and Stockport in the Championship and every division in the Football League. He has also sat on the bench during Premiership and Champions League games at Newcastle and played in several semi-professional divisions.

So, when Elliott says the Blue Square Premier is the toughest league to get promoted from, you tend to trust his judgement.

Nevertheless, Elliott believes City are well-equipped to mount another challenge.

He said: "When I played against the club last season, I thought York were a very well-organised and fit team who worked hard and played good football.

"I was really impressed which made it so much easier when the manager asked me if I was interested in coming here.

"I played in the Conference six years ago for Scarborough and it wasn't a patch on what it is now. People are dropping down from the League and players like Aaron McLean and Michael Kightly, who could be playing in the Premiership soon, have proven how much standards have improved.

"There could be between one and eight clubs who could take the Blue Square Premier by the scruff of the neck next season and hopefully we will be the team that do that."