SUMMER signing George Swan is hoping York City can benefit from his world-class education alongside the likes of David Silva and Vincent Kompany.

Centre-back Swan was tipped for big things at Manchester City following an £800,000 compensation deal that saw both himself and fellow Leeds United academy hopeful Louis Hutton leave Elland Road when they were only 14.

Later becoming under-18s captain at the Etihad Stadium, Swan's progress was halted by a series of injuries. But despite those setbacks, he still rubbed shoulders with World Cup winner Silva, Belgium captain Kompany and several more of the game's greatest performers prior to joining Wolves last term.

Swan failed to make the first-team breakthrough at either club but, while admitting the lure of regular senior football is a big attraction at Bootham Crescent, he has no regrets about spending his formative years at the 2012 and 2014 Premier League champions.

"It's class to come here and be involved in the first team straight away and there are pros and cons with being at the best clubs, obviously," he said.

"It's a bit like schools, though. You go to the best schools in the world if you want to be the cleverest around and I went to Manchester City to train with some of the best players in the world.

"Now, I want to try and show what I've learnt. I trained quite a few times with them all and you do pick up good habits. You see what they do and try and do it yourself.

"When you experience the things that David Silva can do up close, you do think 'I don't know how he saw that'. He doesn't do tricks particularly but it's all about how he moves the ball around.

"Vincent Kompany is just an unbelievable centre-half as well and somebody I aspire to be like.

"I still switch on the Premier League games to watch what the big boys do now, because everyone should always want to play their football at that level and keep an eye on the best to try and learn from them."

Should Minstermen chief Russ Wilcox continue to employ a 3-5-2 formation next season, Swan has also been tutored in the finer details of that system by the top-flight giants' coaching staff.

The young defender said: "We worked a lot on tactical things with Manchester City and bigger clubs are considering three at the back more now, so it's something we looked at in training and games.

"I've played that formation a few times - more on the right side of a three - but I would be happy to play in the middle and could even go on the left if needed."

Wilcox first ran the rule over Swan - the son of his former Hull team-mate and ex-Minsterman Peter - after inviting the 20-year-old defender to train with the York squad during the final fortnight of last season following his release by Wolves.

It was an arrangement that proved fruitful for both parties, with Swan explaining: "My dad spoke to Russ at the end of last season and asked if there was any chance that I could come over.

"At the time, Russ said he wasn't really looking for a centre-half but I still thought I'd give it a shot and, luckily, he saw something he liked when I trained with the lads for two weeks. I really enjoyed it too and told my dad straight away that I wanted to be here.

"The lads were very welcoming and I liked Russ and feel that he will bring out the best in me. He used to be a centre-half himself, which is another good thing and makes me think I can learn something from him.

"My dad finished his career here and really enjoyed being here. He told me it's a family club and things like that do attract you to places. I'm also a Yorkshire lad and am glad to be back home."

Despite only being five when his father played 11 times for the Minstermen, Swan junior's hazy memories of Bootham Crescent do include one notable encounter.

He recalled: "I remember coming to the ground when I was young against Manchester United in pre-season. I met David Beckham and he offered me his boots - but I turned them down for some stupid reason. I don't know why.

"I also remember being in the family room with my mum. Other than that, I can't really remember my dad's playing days, although he makes up for that by telling me all about them."

Having endured cruciate ligament damage, a broken leg and hip trouble in the past, Swan went on to stress that he is determined to steer clear of Jeff Miller's treatment room.

He said: "In the short-term, I want to get as fit as I possibly can and try to get myself into the starting XI for the first game of the season, as everybody else will be doing. Then, I want to try and stay fit and play as many games as I can this season."

Elsewhere, released City striker Wes Fletcher has joined Scottish Premier League outfit Motherwell.