YORK City winger Maz Kouhyar has joined Kidderminster Harriers in a season-long loan.

The Afghanistan international will spend the 2024-25 season with the Harriers, following former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder David Davies through the doors at Aggborough in a busy day for the club.

Kidderminster took four points from their two Vanarama National League clashes with the Minstermen last season, with Amari Morgan-Smith scoring the only goal of a 1-0 victory at the LNER Community Stadium against his former club, before a drab goalless draw handed Adam Hinshelwood his first point as City manager in March.

But despite their eventual relegation, under experienced chief Phil Brown, the Harriers will likely have every expectation of a National League return at the first time of asking.

And that is something that is not lost on Kouhyar, who has prior experience of doing just that, having been on the scoresheet as City won promotion via the Vanarama National League North play-off final in 2021-22.

“I’ve played here with York at this level, so the aim is to get promotion again,” he told his new club.

“It’s always good to be at a club and be playing consistently, being able to call it home. York’s been good for the past few years, but I’m excited for the next journey.

“Signing a long-term deal until the end of the season was easy for me because I want to go through the whole season, starting the season well and finishing the season well to go for promotion.

“I want to get as many goals, assists, and goal contributions as possible, work hard for the team, and play as many minutes as possible.”

Recommended reading:

He admits that being close to his family has also played its part in a switch to Kidderminster.

“I don’t live far from Birmingham, so it’s local for me, and it’s ideal to stay close to family and friends and to be able to do what I love as well,” Kouhyar explained.

“I’ve been at York, which is two-and-a-half hours away from family, so to be able to come somewhere that’s local, it’s ideal for me.

“It’s something that away from the pitch, I think will keep me concentrated as well, and I’m glad to be here.”

Kouhyar scored four times in 27 appearances for the Minstermen last season, either side of a short loan spell with former side Hereford in January, and will hope for regular game time, having endured a stop-start 2023-24 season.

He enjoyed a run of games under Mikey Morton and Neal Ardley at the beginning of the campaign, scoring against Dorking Wanderers, Southend United, and a vital equaliser on his birthday at home to Solihull Moors, before spending over a month on the sidelines.

The former Walsall attacker again found regular minutes across November and December before making five appearances on loan for Hereford at the beginning of 2024, though returned to City after injuries had forced a change of formation in the Bulls’ squad that did not require wingers.

He made a scoring return to action in the Minstermen’s 6-1 thrashing at Altrincham, also scoring against champions Chesterfield as he featured in seven of their last eight matches as they narrowly avoided the drop.

Kidderminster’s pre-season schedule continues with a trip to Southern League Premier Central side Mickleover Sports on Saturday, whilst their National League North season begins at Darlington – managed by former City boss Steve Watson – on August 10.