York City is delighted to announce the capture of goalkeeper George Sykes-Kenworthy on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee from Bradford (Park Avenue).
Sykes-Kenworthy departs Horsfall Stadium having featured 88-times for The Green Army across a spell just shy of two years.
The now 24-year-old started his footballing journey with Bradford City at under-8 level within the Bantams’ Academy, signing his first professional contract (a two-year deal) with the club in March 2018.
He later joined Stalybridge Celtic that month, appearing 11 times in all competitions for the Celts, his first taste of senior men’s football.
The shot-stopper picked up an accolade in May 2018 and was named Bradford City’s ‘Youth Team Player of the Year’ for the 2017/18 season.
Sykes-Kenworthy closed out the year with a one-month loan deal at Stafford Rangers, collecting five league appearances throughout December.
A loan move to Guiseley in the National League North followed in the summer of 2019, featuring nine-times with the Lions before then Bradford City boss Gary Bowyer recalled him.
His senior Bradford City debut came off the back of it, starting against Manchester City U21s in the EFL Trophy in September 2019.
The goalkeeper earned a further Bantams appearance in November that year, featuring against Rochdale in the EFL Trophy too.
Sykes-Kenworthy then spent a season with Derby County’s under-23 side after departing Bradford City in the summer of 2020.
Signing in October, he accrued ten Premier League 2 appearances and kept three clean sheets before leaving in June 2021.
A deal with Boston United was agreed on the eve of the 2021/22 season, following a successful trial period, where he featured seven times for the Pilgrims before setting at Bradford (Park Avenue) later that year.
Sykes-Kenworthy has enjoyed the most consistent football in his career to date with The Green Army, keeping 25 clean sheets since signing in December 2021.
Following impressive performances during his time at the club, the 24-year-old was named as First Team Captain for the 2023/24 season, taking the role from an experienced Avenue veteran in Gianluca Havern.
Speaking on securing the goalkeeper, Neal Ardley said:
“George is a player who I did a lot of work on during the summer, and he was somebody that when I crushed the data and watched with my own eyes, was a goalkeeper who impressed me a lot.
“We’ve had him watched live twice now by the goalkeeping department, and with the way we want to move forward, we believe he will be an exciting addition to this team.”
Welcome to the Minstermen, George!
Subject to league and FA approval.