Adriano Moké’s move a major ‘shock’ for York City boss Gary Mills

The 22-year-old Glenn Hoddle Academy graduate was offered a new deal with City at the end of last season after making 34 appearances for the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off final winners during his first season of professional football.

But, having only made 12 starts, Moké has cited a thirst for regular first-team football as the reason behind his desire to continue plying his trade at Conference level.

A surprised Mills said: “He was somebody I brought in last summer and, although he did not start that many games, the season was a learning process for him. I think he’s a player with great ability and a great future but he seemed very reluctant when I offered him another contract. That was a big shock and a disappointment to me because I would have thought everybody would want to take that chance of becoming a League player.

“There’s no hard feelings and I wish him all the best because he played his part in getting us promoted, which everybody at the club will always be grateful for but, if he does not want to be part of what we want to do now, that’s his loss in terms of playing in the Football League and developing as a player.”

The departure of left-back James Meredith for Bradford City came as less of a surprise or Mills due to the financial package the Bantams were willing to offer the Australian defender.

Mills added: “I was disappointed to lose James because I’ve worked hard with him and feel I have improved him. When I first saw him play against Bath in my first game as manager, he looked a poor defender but we addressed that very quickly and, last season, he proved what a good player he is at full-back and in other positions.

“I thought I might just be able to keep him because he’s enjoyed working with me but he’s gone for financial reasons. That doesn’t make him a bad lad though and I won’t be badmouthing him.

“Quite simply, I feel in Danny Blanchett I have somebody better than him.”