YORK City have unveiled former Premier League goalkeeper David Stockdale as their first Summer signing of the 2023/24 Vanarama National League season.

Stockdale returns to the club he began his career at in 2003, after accumulating over 450 appearances throughout a 20-year career.

The experienced shot-stopper will act in a dual role, also as York's new Head of Recruitment.

The 37-year-old made 24 appearances in Sky Bet League One last season, helping guide Sheffield Wednesday to promotion to the Sky Bet Championship after overcoming rivals Barnsley in the play-off final.

He will be a regular face amongst the York community, after Stockdale first began his career in North Yorkshire in the year 2000. 

Stockdale made his first appearance in 2003 in the Third Division, before becoming a regular starter in the 2004/05 season in the Conference National. 

After turning out for 16 different clubs, including Brighton & Hove Albion, Hull City and Leicester City, Stockdale has returned to York to help City build towards their upcoming National League season.

Stockdale has also won the golden glove accolade at every English Football League level, in Sky Bet League Two, League One and in the Championship.

Having also earning a cap at England C level whilst as a youngster with City, Stockdale went on to receive call-ups under Fabio Capello's England side after impressing at Fulham.

It's Michael Morton's first signing of the new season, with Stockdale likely to come into the side to provide guidance for academy graduate Ryan Whitley, who starred in the back end of last season. 

Telling the club website, Stockdale said: “It was one of the things I wanted to do, to come back here. 

“I didn’t express that to anybody but my family, but 20 years after I made my debut, to come back and try and help while I can, I’m really pleased.

“What a place this is to have York City and York RLFC. I remember them talking about it years back when I was carrying buckets around Bootham Crescent trying to save the club.  

“Those feelings lay deep when you’re stood outside a club trying to save its existence.” 

Stockdale added on his dual role as Head of Recruitment: “I could have stayed just playing in the EFL, but I also wanted to go into that side of it. 

"I’ve been getting experience of it alongside doing my FA courses. So it’s something that I’ll be doing in between helping the gaffer, and basically trying to put in place things for the future of this club.” 

Stockdale will potentially make his non-competitive debut against either Championship outfit Middlesbrough on Saturday, July 15 or against Tadcaster Albion on Saturday, July 22.