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York City re-sign former Premier League keeper David Stockdale after leaving Sheffield Wednesday, who were recently promoted from League One.
Stockdale returns to the Minstermen where he started his professional career in 2003. He has made over 450 appearances during a career spanning 20 years.
The 37-year old’s experience will also serve as the club’s new Head of Recruitment, coming off the back of making 24 appearances in 2022/23.
🤩 He’s back!#YCFC ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/bbZllOmHIv
— York City FC (@YorkCityFC) June 4, 2023
📰 We are delighted to announce our first summer signing, the return of @stockogk1313!
More ⬇️ | #YCFC 🔴🔵
— York City FC (@YorkCityFC) June 4, 2023
So happy to be back, from shaking buckets to keep the club afloat to a new stadium.
Also can’t wait to help off the pitch too as Head of Recruitment. Exciting times #YCFC 🔴🔵— David Stockdale (@stockogk1313) June 4, 2023
YORK CITY STATEMENT
York City FC are delighted to announce the return of goalkeeper David Stockdale who will join the club upon the expiry of his contract with Sheffield Wednesday from July 2023.
The 37-year-old started his senior career with the Minstermen 20 years ago after coming through the club’s academy and making his debut as a 17-year-old against Oxford United.
Since then, the Yorkshireman has carved out an incredible career at the top levels of English football, winning the golden glove in the Championship, League One, and League Two.
Last season, Stockdale made 24 League One appearances and kept 11 clean sheets as Sheffield Wednesday secured promotion to the Championship via the play-offs.
This was the fifth promotion-winning campaign that the goalkeeper has contributed to in the EFL, having also ascended from League One with Wycombe Wanderers and Leicester City, and from the Championship with Brighton & Hove Albion and Hull City.
Having represented England C while a youngster at York, Stockdale was part of the England senior set-up under Fabio Capello after impressing during a run of games in the Premier League with Fulham. With the Cottagers, he also received a UEFA Europa League Runners-up medal in 2009/10.
On returning to City, 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.”
Speaking on his impressions of the new stadium, Stockdale reflects on his time as a young pro bucket collecting at Bootham Crescent: “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.”
The experienced professional will hold a dual role as Head of Recruitment and will prove a useful advisor to first-team manager Michael Morton with his extensive contacts and knowledge of the game.
On his dual role, the shot stopper added: “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.”
Michael Morton shared his delight in completing his first signing of the summer, saying: “We are delighted to get someone with David’s qualities over the line.
“I think this is huge for the club moving forward, not just on the pitch, but off the pitch as well.
“You just need to look at his career and stats to see what quality he will bring on the pitch; but for me, his character, leadership skills, and his love for the club are what will help us move in the right direction.
“David will also be working with the management team to restructure the recruitment department at the club.
“Welcome home.”
The deal is subject to FA and National League approval.
Twitter users reacted as York City re-sign the former Premier League keeper after leaving Sheffield Wednesday…
@MickCordukes: That double save from the penalty 😍
@Noddy_Holder: Decent bit of business and plenty of clean sheets in league one last season means straight into the number one spot whilst pushing Ryan in training I reckon
@DARRENCOUPE1: Congratulations such a lovely bloke hope you get promoted
@Charliebwright1: That is a great signing 😍
@_andyhandy: Great signing. Welcome back @stockogk1313
@kmowl44: Been an absolute pleasure to have you around for the last season, and what a season it was. All the best and good luck at York City.
@RocketRawson: What a signing for York City this is! Brilliant for us last season and now I get to watch him with York When I’m not at Wednesday games! #swfc #ycfc
@nicolarowlinson: Excellent, what a great guy . Best of luck MD 👍🏼💙😉
@AskhamLuke: Now announce a pre season friendly for Wednesday to come to York 🍻🍻🍻
@MickCordukes: Welcome back David , We are York 🔴🔵
@Darell1981: Good luck stocko, it was an absolute pleasure to have you in our squad @swfc. All the best for the future and I’ll defo pay York a visit when I get the chance 🙌
@adamtmilner: @swfc sort a friendly out with these lads please 👌🏼
@MissEl198: Best of luck @stockogk1313 whatta bloke. You’ll always be loved and welcomed at Hillsborough x
@LeeJFisher1: Outstanding signing for York City. Good luck @stockogk1313
@BenStuart78: Great to see him back after a long journey away. Not only a goalkeeper but he’s developed into one of the great game’s fine ambassadors.
@RoyMorton48: Absolute quality I remember watching him on TV year’s ago. He was the best player on the pitch His experience will be massive for York and the players 😊😊👍👍🙏
@DinoPaggiossi: Good luck stocko! Thanks for everything you did at S6. Gave us your all pal. You will be missed. Will always remember your parade day mic 🤣 All the very best! Wawaw 💙🦉🤍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💫
@swfcjohn2: Best of luck to Stockdale gonna be great for yous
@luckymanian: Good luck Stocko, top man and always welcome back at Hillsborough 💯
@HuttonKeely: Buzzing for you and what a signing for you York city fc 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
@The5herriff: He’s a top lad, look after him 👍🏼
@richiecotton5: That is a great signing. Could easily still play higher, at National League level he will be outstanding. A massively positive influence in the changing room as well by all accounts. Brilliant signing 👏👏👏👏👏 #YCFC
@Brotonswfc: All the best. Got a great character and keeper
@1867News: Fantastic. Really hope he does well for you. Top bloke.
@DeborahTaylor3: You’ve got a diamond, look after him.
