MALACHI FAGAN-WALCOTT is settling into life at York City after joining on a season-long loan from Cardiff City earlier this week.

The towering centre-back became the tenth signing of the season for Adam Hinshelwood, with York securing Fagan-Walcott’s services despite interest from Scotland, Sky Bet League Two and fellow Vanarama National League clubs.

Fagan-Walcott, 22, could be in line for his City debut in Saturday’s visit to Wealdstone (3pm), with the centre-back taking advice from a former York winger now representing Cardiff, in the form of Ollie Tanner.

“I’ve really enjoyed it, it has been good,” Fagan-Walcott enthused.

“The boys have been very welcoming and the gaffer has been very welcoming, it’s been good and I feel great being here.

“It was on Deadline Day, I spoke to one of the previous players from Cardiff that had played here, Ollie Tanner.

“I came into training and told him that the York City manager has messaged me, I hadn’t heard of anything at the time.

“I went home and sat thinking about it on Deadline Day, I knew my phone would be going off, and that’s when my agent called me and told me.

“He didn’t tell me about his time here! He just said that he really liked the gaffer and that it was a good club, and that if I did choose to go there, then I would enjoy it and that it would be a good opportunity.

“York as a City is quite nice, so that’s comforting. It’s been really good so far.

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“I’ve been to Tesco’s, but I haven’t really had a chance to walk around yet, but I’ll be doing that later on.

“It’s been really good, it’s a great bunch of players, they are funny and we got along very well from when I first got there.

“It’s been really good, everyone has helped if I have needed anything or don’t know what I’m doing. Everyone has been there to help, which is really good for me.

“I hadn’t [played with any players], but a lot of us have mutuals.

"Some of them have played with players that have played with, so I can say ‘do you know him’ and it gets it moving and stuff.

"Ty Sinclair is quite close with my best mate at Cardiff, so before I got there my best mate told me, even though I didn’t really know him.

"Joe Felix was at Fulham before and Cameron Antwi was at Cardiff, so he knew him. Stuff like that, I kind of knew who was who."

Fagan-Walcott had interest from higher divisions but felt that York could be the perfect fit for him, due to their style of play.

The defender described what sort of player he is for the supporters, linking well with Hinshelwood's preference in ball-playing defenders.

He detailed: “In training it has been really good, when I first got here after the first session I went and called my agent. I was telling him that they play football like this, so I know that I will get on the ball. That’s my mindset, to defend first.

“I can play anywhere at centre-half, left side or right side, I can play in both.

"I don’t mind either, that would be my preferred position, but I came on in the Champions League at right-back but haven’t played there since.

"If I got put there, I could do that. If I got put there for York, I think I would do myself proud.

"What I can bring to this team is that I am very calm and composed on the ball, but I love to defend as well, my first thought before any game is defending.

"The ball-playing and stuff will sort itself out, just as long as you win the battle with your striker, being aggressive, and then after that playing the ball.

Malachi Fagan-Walcott could make his York City debut in Saturday's visit to Wealdstone.Malachi Fagan-Walcott could make his York City debut in Saturday's visit to Wealdstone. (Image: York City FC)

"If you don’t concede, you’re more likely to get points.

"If I play on the ball and aren’t as aggressive and stuff, it’s all nice being on the ball, but you’ve got to make sure you defend as well.

“I used to be a striker! I feel like it’s instinct, if you see me in and around training in small sided games and stuff, I love shooting.

"At Cardiff, in small sided games I tried to stay as far forward as possible, I never stay back because it’s the only time I get to go and express myself.

"When it comes to goals I like to get in and around it, for corners I tell myself that I am going to score.

"Every time I go up there, I tell myself that I am going to go and score, and even if I have already scored, I’ll tell myself that I am going to score again.

"That’s just because I grew up as a striker, so I have that mentality.

"I love being in those situations of set-pieces, even if I am stepping up from the back, I’m always thinking if I should shoot."

Fagan-Walcott could make his York debut at Wealdstone, which is quite the contrast from where he made his senior Cardiff debut, at Burnley's Turf Moor on the opening day of the 2024/25 season.

The 22-year-old will also be expected to complete his initiation on the trip down, a song on the coach, but he hasn't decided what to perform yet.

“I’m assuming it’s not going to be like Turf Moor, but if there is grass on the pitch then I will play.

“My other loans have helped me because you have to drop down from such a high club like them, I wouldn’t say that I am used to it but I would say that I am getting used to it.

"I don’t think it will be a shock to my system or anything, because playing on pitches in Scotland during the Winter was crazy. I’m just buzzing to play really.

“I’m going to change it up this time [his song], I’ve done the same song at every club each time.

"It’s let me love you by Mario, but when I went to Dunfermline they banned that song because everyone sings it.

"Can I sing? I’m okay, a decent voice. I don’t know what song yet, I’ll have to figure that out on the coach!"