FANS’ favourite Jimmy Sangare has bade a festive “au revoir” to York City as he heads for a new career in Africa.

The French-born utility player, who has impressed manager Gary Mills as a holding midfielder over the past two months, has shocked the City boss by swapping the Minstermen for Moroccan outfit Wydad Casablanca.

The 27-year-old, who joined City from then Blue Square top-flight rivals Salisbury last season, has joined the Moroccan club on a two-year contract. And that proved the crux of the problem in him remaining at Bootham Crescent.

Mills’ predecessor Martin Foyle only offered the popular Sangare terms lasting until this month, meaning a lucrative two-year deal proved too tempting.

Declared Sangare: “I would have loved to stay and help the team to get back into the Football League, but football is a short career and you have to make big decisions.

“I am now 27 years old and it’s a U-turn in my career, but when this opportunity came up I couldn’t say no.”

Sangare’s decision left City boss Mills dismayed.

He said: “I’m gutted that his contract was only to December – it was all sorted out before I joined.

“It’s a blow. I think that it has backfired on the football club because I feel he is a player I could have done with until the end of the season.

“I was in the process of offering Jimmy a further contract but he has been offered a two-year deal to play in Morocco which he felt was right for him and his family.

“I am disappointed he has made that decision, but I wish him well for the future. He was a player I enjoyed working with. Whether at training or in matches, he applied his work superbly and professionally, but always had a smile on his face.”

Dunkirk-born Sangare said he relished the prospect of his new start at a club that plays in the African Champions League, though his departure was tinged with regret at leaving Bootham Crescent, where the City faithful took to him warmly.

Said Sangare “It is a good challenge.

“It is a package that’s good for me and it gives me a chance to live in a Muslim country, which is very important to my beliefs.

“I would like to thank all the fans for their support shown to me. I really appreciated it.”

As he said “au revoir”, Sangare added best wishes to his team-mates and the club.

“I wish the lads all the best for the rest of the season hoping that they get promoted and have a good run in the FA Cup.

“I would like to thank all the staff at the club who have looked after me.”

Sangare, who started his professional career in the third division of the French League with Wasquehal, came to England and had spells with Lewes, Grays Athletic and Stafford Rangers before joining the Minstermen from Salisbury City last spring.

He made his debut as a substitute at Gateshead in August 2009 and made 18 appearances last season.

This season he started as the first-choice centre-back alongside David McGurk for the first five matches. But he only figured in one more game until the arrival of Mills to replace the sacked Foyle in mid-October.

After the 1-1 draw against Bath City when Sangare was on the bench, he played in six of the next nine games – including bagging his first goal in the 2-0 FA Cup win at Darlington – in a screening midfield role in which he has been one of City’s steadiest performers.


Wydad fact file

WYDAD Casablanca are one of Morocco’s leading clubs.

Formed in 1937 as part of the Wydad Athletic Club, the football team play at the Stade Mohamed V stadium. Its capacity is 67,000.

Known as Les Rouges at Blancs – the reds and whites – they were five times winners of the Moroccan Football League until it was reformed as the Botola in 1956.

They have won the Botola 12 times, the last in 2009/10.