TEENAGE defender Jasper Moon would relish a season-long loan chance with York City next term.

The 18-year-old centre back has impressed during his first two senior outings for the Minstermen following a deadline-day switch from Barnsley last month.

He has since been offered professional terms at Oakwell for 2019/20 but has told The Press that he would be pleased to carry on gaining experience in National League North with the Tykes’ blessing.

Barnsley are currently sat in League One’s automatic promotion places and are targeting a return to the Championship, while Moon sees out the season with City.

But the former Leicester academy prospect is enjoying his first taste of senior football and he reasoned: “I’ve just been offered a new contract at Barnsley but coming back here on a season-long loan would be something I’d be more than happy to do.”

The Barnsley under-23 regular has also expressed his surprise at some of the sixth-tier quality on show, declaring: “The standard is really good, and way better than I thought it would be.

“It’s also a bit more physical than what I’m used to, which is obviously good for my development.”

Moon was on Leicester’s books when the Foxes shocked the world by winning the Premier League title in 2016.

“There was a great atmosphere around the club, and everyone was happy,” he enthused.

With that experience in the past, though, Moon now regards his stint with City as the vital next stage in his own football education after two years as a scholar at Barnsley.

“I was at Leicester from the age of eight to 16 and they taught me most of the stuff I know,” he explained. “At Barnsley, they’ve shown me the little things I need to improve my game to be ready for senior football and this loan is now teaching me the physical side.

“I know I won’t win every physical battle so, sometimes, you just have to know when you do have a chance to win the ball and when you don’t. I had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to go out on loan, but I hadn’t put it forward as something I’d like to do yet so, when it came up, I was buzzing.

“I got called into the office on the Thursday before I came to York and they asked me if I knew what was going on. I didn’t.

“But, then, the academy manager came in and said York wanted me. I said: ‘Nice’ and got my stuff and went straight away.”

Fellow Oakwell under-23 prospect Sam Fielding recommended the club to Moon, having made his debut with the Minstermen at the age of 16 back in October 2016, whilst a player who knows all about the move City’s young defender has made has also taken him under his wing.

More than 17 years ago, at the age of 20, veteran City striker Jon Parkin was loaned out to Bootham Crescent from home-town club Barnsley and Moon has welcomed his guidance, adding: “He’s given me a few pointers on how I can improve, so that’s been really useful.”

With Moon in the back four, City have taken four points from a possible six after a 1-0 home success over Southport was followed by Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Chester.

But the ambitious teenager expressed his frustration that the team didn’t manage a maximum haul from those contests.

“I thought we were unlucky not to get three points against Chester so, to only take one, was disappointing,” he lamented. “But the goals we conceded were sloppy and we weren’t good enough in the second half and we’ve got to improve on that during the coming games.”

Those games will see City conclude the season with contests against top-seven sides Spennymoor, Bradford Park Avenue and Telford, but it’s a schedule that holds no fear for Moon, who insisted: “There are three games left and I want nine points.”