York City are delighted to announce the permanent signing of forward Josh Stones from Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee.
The striker joins having just recently returned to the Tics following a loan at Oldham Athletic, in which he scored four goals in six games.
Stones started off his career in Guiseley’s youth system, where he came up against York City U19s on multiple occasions.
He emerged through the ranks to play National League North football, scoring his first senior goal in a 1-0 win over AFC Telford United.
The 21-year-old moved to then-Championship side Wigan Athletic in summer 2022, and made his professional debut in the EFL Trophy against Fleetwood Town.
Stones spent time on loan in Scotland in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, gaining more experience at Ross County, before enduring another loan spell at the back end of the year, this time with Oldham.
His phase there was cut short due to injury, but in the four games played, he proved his worth with three goals and as many assists.
Days prior to his first stint at Boundary Park, the forward was named on the bench for Wigan in their televised Emirates FA Cup Second Round tie away to the Minstermen, which the visitors triumphed in.
Moving into the current season, Stones began with a handful of appearances off the bench for the Tics in League One, but it wasn’t long before he was back at Oldham.
He moved back to familiar territory in November, and got another six National League matches under his belt, once again ending the spell with an excellent goal-to-game ratio.
Four goals were assigned to his name by January, including a quickfire brace against Wealdstone.
Stones will be unavailable to play against Gainsborough Trinity in the Isuzu FA Trophy Fourth Round, due to him being cup-tied.
Sending a message to the York fans upon making the move, Stones said: “I’m buzzing to be here, and hopefully I can help to take you all where you want to be.”
Welcome to York, Josh!
Subject to league and FA approval.
