Darren Kelly quit the Candystripes for family reasons

Family reasons led Kelly to ask for a move to a British club and after a long saga, he has finally concluded a deal with York.

Kelly had been on trial at Kilmarnock and had been linked with other clubs.

"I would like to thank him for the attitude that he gave us when we was required but he has now moved on to York," said Derry boss John Robertson.

The 28-year-old had been in his third spell with Derry, having also been on the books of Shelbourne, Monaghan United, Carlisle United, who bought him for �100,000 in 2002, and Portadown.

Kelly had been linked with a possible return to Portadown while Scottish clubs Gretna, Dundee United and Inverness Caledonian Thistle had also made enquiries about the former Northern Ireland Under-21 international.

Gretna were not prepared to pay the reported �50,000 fee being demanded by Derry.

Inverness dropped their interest as they would have preferred a loan deal.