IT'S an early Christmas present for York City supporters - as Malachi Fagan-Walcott penned a four year contract with the Minstermen.

As previously reported by the Press, Fagan-Walcott has made his York stay permanent after agreeing to join City for an undisclosed fee.

It reinforces the long-term ambition previously set out by manager Adam Hinshelwood, with York also well within the promotion conversation as the National League leaders at Christmas.

Fagan-Walcott has signed a four year contract with City, believed to be until the end of the 2028/29 season, having initially joined the club on a season-long loan deal in September.

Since making the move from Sky Bet Championship strugglers Cardiff City, Fagan-Walcott has proven to be a rock at the back, making 16 appearances so far this season.

The 22-year-old has formed a formidable partnership with captain Callum Howe in the backline, with York conceding the fourth-least amount of goals in the division.

Fagan-Walcott also has a goal to his name this season too, which came in critical circumstances away at FC Halifax Town, as a stoppage-time equaliser drew City level, before Ollie Pearce netted again to confirm a 2-1 win on the road.

The signing may come as something of a surprise, after York reportedly fended off EFL and Scottish interest to confirm the loan move in September, and with a recall clause available to Cardiff in January.

York were Fagan-Walcott's fifth club of his career, having initially broken into Jose Mourinho's Tottenham Hotspur side in 2020.

He even made one appearance for Spurs in their 3-0 UEFA Champions League loss to RB Leipzig, from the bench, and represented the Premier League side in the EFL Cup.

The centre-back would join Dundee on-loan for game time, but managed just two appearances due to injury.

Malachi Fagan-Walcott has signed a permanent deal with York City. (Image: Tom Poole) Upon his Tottenham release, Fagan-Walcott joined Cardiff on a permanent deal, but struggled to break into the Welsh teams first-team plans.

Instead, Fagan-Walcott found game time back in Scotland at Dunfermline Athletic, making 15 appearances and becoming a fan favourite, so much so that the Pars attempted to bring the centre-back back to them in September, only for City to beat them to his signature.

Fagan-Walcott is also an England representative, having played for the Three Lions at both under-16's and 17's level, featuring alongside the likes of Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala.