York City have released Derwin Martina after just four days - and 81 minutes of reserve team football - having pushed through a deal to sign him last week.

The former Ajax academy defender joined the National League side on Friday after they received international clearance and he was an unused substitute for their 3-1 victory over Eastleigh the following day.

But after manager Gary Mills watched him make his debut for the club's reserve side in a 2-1 defeat by Hartlepool on Tuesday, Martina was immediately released.

Derwin Martina, pictured at RKC Waalwijk in 2015, has been released by York after four days

The 22-year-old had agreed a deal until the end of the season, but just 81 minutes of action for York's second string was enough to make up Mills' mind.

And in another twist, Martina, who has also had spells at RKC Waalwijk in Holland and Atlantis in Finland, has denied claims from the club that he is the brother of Southampton defender Cuco.

York's official website reported that their newest signing was a sibling of the Saints star, but Martina revealed that they are not related.

'He is not my cousin, he is just a friend,' he told BBC Radio York.

Martina has denied claims by York that he is related to Southampton defender Cuco

'In my country, Martina's a really big name so a lot of people have that last name, but he's not my brother.'

Martina was at fault for Hartlepool's winning goal at Bootham Crescent and admitted afterwards that he struggled to handle his first game in English football.

'It was really hard for me,' he told The York Press.

York manager Gary Mills decided to release Martina after watching him play for the reserves

'I had to take in a lot of information – too much new information.

'In Holland, we always play 4-3-3 and I am a right back, but we played 5-2-3 and it was a new position for me, so I had to do new things with and without the ball.'

Mills has declined to explain his reasons for letting Martina go.