Bradford City ended their transfer window on Monday night with the signing of one new player, Tom McIntyre, on loan from Championship side Portsmouth.
Manager Graham Alexander will be hoping this signing, alongside the ones already signed, can help them consolidate in League One and push up the table, with them being unbeaten in League One so far.
This article will summarise each of the Bantams’ signings, whilst also including Alexander’s comments and summary of the departures and additions to the club this summer.
Arrivals At Bradford City
Following promotion to EFL League One, recruitment was a must for Alexander’s side for them to be able to consolidate and to tailor their squad to the new challenges League One will bring.
The Bantams started their transfer business with the signing of Max Power. The 32-year-old signed for the club after departing Denmark side AGF, where he struggled for game time. However, the midfielder still has quality and experience with him, winning the League with Wigan Athletic in the 2021/22 season.
During that season, he made 54 appearances and scored 5 goals, and picked up 15 assists. So far for Bradford City, he has made 8 appearances in all competitions.
Following this signing, the Valley Parade outfit went on to sign Curtis Tilt. The defender, following a spell being captain at Salford City and will also add experience also will hope to make a positive impact this campaign, with him being solid at the back so far this season.
Defender Joe Wright would then go on to join Bradford City. The former Kilmarnock man had previously picked up player of the year at Kilmarnock and has made 6 appearances so far this season.
Josh Neufville then joined the club following being promoted via the playoffs with AFC Wimbledon and picking up the player of the year award at the London club. The wing-back has experience mainly in the National League and League Two, but he showed last season that he was ready for the step up. The 24-year-old has picked up two assists in 9 appearances so far this campaign.
Left wing-back Ibou Touray joined the Bantams following losing in the playoffs last season, and his contract expiring at Stockport County. The 30-year-old picked up 3 assists last campaign. So far, he has made 9 appearances and netted once since making the switch to the Bantams.
Stephen Humphrys then joined Alexander’s side following a season at Barnsley, where he made 41 appearances and netted 9 goals and picked up two assists. The forward has made 8 appearances in all competitions so far and picked up one goal and one assist.
Matthew Pennington then joined Bradford City. Following a season at Blackpool, where he made 29 appearances. The right centre back has started 5 games for the Valley Parade outfit so far this season.
Shortly afterwards, Will Swan joined the club. The striker joined following a spell at Crawley Town and will be arguably looking for success this campaign after being in a relegation side and only picking up 7 goals and 4 assists in 40 appearances.
From experience in this window to youth, the permanent signing of Jenson Metcalfe from Everton offers an insight into the future at Bradford City. Furthermore, Metcalfe is a very technical player and loves a tackle in midfield. This is why he deserved the step up to the Bantams after impressing on loan at Chesterfield last season, being a big factor as to why they reached the playoffs.
Experienced midfielder Nick Powell would then become the Bantams’ second-to-last signing of the window. The 31-year-old joined Alexander’s side after having his contract terminated at Stockport County.
On deadline day, Bradford City had a quiet day, with them only adding one more addition to their squad.
Defender Tom McIntyre joined the club on loan from Portsmouth until the end of the season and won promotion to the Championship with Charlton Athletic last campaign.
Departures At the Bantams
As well as arrivals, Bradford City have seen several faces leave the club and explore different clubs, with some of them out of contract.
The latest duo to depart the club on deadline day is striker Tyler Smith and winger Adam Wilson, after their contracts were terminated by mutual consent following manager Alexander telling them that they are no longer needed.
Shortly before this, midfielder Clarke Odour departed on loan to Grimsby Town, with him having a one year left on his contract, and Alexander telling him that he is out of favour with him, only making 26 appearances last season.
Defensive trio Sam Stubbs, Romoney Crichlow and Callum Johnson would then depart the club as they joined Shrewsbury Town, Barnet and Gateshead respectively. As well as this, the midfield duo of Jamie Walker and Richie Smallwood joined Grimsby Town and Tranmere Rovers after not being offered a new contract by the West Yorkshire based outfit.
Current goalkeeper coach Colin Doyle decided to hang up the boots and focus on developing the current goalkeepers Joe Hilton and Sam Walker.
Penultimately, Striker Vadaine Oliver and centre back Paul Huntington are still without a club after not signing a new contract with Bradford City.
As well as first-team players departing, younger players also left the club this summer. Two examples of this can be seen through the departure of Harry Ibitison on loan to Chorley and Gabriel Wadsworth being released and joining non-league side Eccleshill United.
Alexander’s Comments On Deadline Day Addition
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