YORK CITY have signed former Premier League midfielder Simon Lappin until the end of the season following the news that Clovis Kamdjo will be out for up to a year.
Lappin, 33, had been training with the Minstermen for the past two weeks and has now put pen to paper at Bootham Crescent.
After starting his career at St Mirren, who he helped to promotion to the Scottish Premier League, Lappin moved south of the border to join Norwich.
The Scot remained at Carrow Road for six years, where he experienced relegation to League One before being part of the squad that won back-to-back promotions to the top flight.
After leaving Norwich in 2013, Lappin had spells with Motherwell, Cardiff and Sheffield United before ending last season back in the Scottish Premiership with St Johnstone.
The former Scotland U21 international is waiting for international clearance but could feature in Saturday’s game against Dagenham & Redbridge.
Lappin’s signing has come as a big boost for York boss Gary Mills after defender or midfielder Kamdjo was ruled out for at least nine months.
The former Barnet and Forest Green man, 25, was stretchered off at the end of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Easleigh and scans have confirmed he suffered damage to his cruciate ligament.
“It’s bad news regarding Clovis unfortunately,” said Mills. “He’s suffered damage to his cruciate and virtually everything in his knee. He’s going to be out for nine months to a year.
“It’s the worst news we could have received to be honest, for him and for us. I was just getting into Clovis and he was starting to look like the player I’m after at the back. I thought he did well against Sutton United, and then Eastleigh last weekend, before he got injured.
“It’s a big, big blow for us. I’m gutted for him, it’s never a good time. I broke my leg during my career and was out for a year but his injury is worse because it involves the knee.
“We’ll give him the best treatment we can though and hopefully he’ll come back and pick up where he left off.”
