FORMER Blackfield & Langley and Wimborne Town midfielder/defender Franklyn Clarke has penned his first professional contact.

The 23-year-old has parted company with Dorchester Town after sealing a move to Eastleigh’s National League rivals York City.

Following a successful trial with the Minstermen, he has signed a one-year deal at Bootham Crescent with the option of a further year if he impresses.

Originally from the Liverpool area, Clarke came south to study sports psychology and coaching at Bournemouth University.

With his studies completed, he had been looking for a club in the north of England and was recommended to York boss Jackie McNamara by an agent.

Having impressed in training, the versatile player, who is 6ft 1in tall, played the last half-hour of City’s weekend victory at Stalybridge Celtic and followed that up with another hard-working performance against Blackburn Rovers.

Clarke announced on social media that he would be making the step up and thanked both Dorchester and Wimborne for their help.

He added: “Signing my first professional contract is a dream come true. Time to work harder than ever now.”

Clarke, who made 15 appearances for Wessex outfit Blackfield in 2014/15, became the 18th player to sign for York this summer in the wake of the club’s relegation from the Football League.

McNamara said: “Frank has a good engine and he wins a lot of tackles.

“He is a good passer of the ball and gets stuck in.

“But what I really like about him is that he is not a shirker and he doesn’t give up.

“You find that a lot of semi-professional footballers will give you that. They so want that chance to be a footballer and will give you a real hunger. That’s what I was looking for in new players this summer.

“His versatility will be important too,” added the York manager. “He is over 6ft and he is mobile.”

Clarke played 18 times for Southern Premier outfit Dorchester last season and scored against Weymouth on his debut, making him an instant fans' favourite.

Eastleigh are due to host York on Saturday, November 12.