Port Vale: Yates signs Valiants deal
The 26-year-old, from Milton, has put pen to paper after rejecting a new contract at League Two rivals Morecambe.
Yates becomes the second signing for new manager Micky Adams, following the arrival of former Brighton midfielder Tom Fraser.
Another former Brighton midfielder, Doug Loft, also looks poised to join the club.
And, on a busy afternoon, defender Luke Prosser has accepted Vale's offer of a new deal and signed a one-year contract.
Yates was a youth player at Crewe who moved on to Halifax and Leek Town before joining Morecambe.
He spent three years with the Shrimps, helping them win promotion from the Blue Square Premier in May 2007 and then establish themselves in League Two.
He was targeted by former Vale boss Dean Glover, but signed after talks with Glover's replacement Adams.
Yates said: "My decision to not pursue my contract with Morecambe had something to do with Vale's interest.
"I had spoken to Dean Glover, but Micky Adams has come in and given me his approval. He told me in no uncertain terms that he didn't have to sign me if he didn't want me here.
"I am in debt to him now and am going to look to repay him over the course of the season."
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