The Lower Tiers understands that Grimsby Town are interested in signing Bradford City’s Clarke Oduor before the summer transfer window slams shut next Monday.
Clarke Oduor has fallen out of favour at Bradford City and the exit door has been open all summer for the 26-year-old.
Clarke Oduor won automatic promotion to League One with Bradford City last season but only played a small part by making only 19 league appearances.
Nevertheless, he’s now got a promotion from League Two on his CV and no one can take him away from him. He’s been in and around a dressing room battled their way over the finish line. He understands what it takes to get promoted.
It’s a skill that could prove to be invaluable for David Artell as his Grimsby side looks to imitate the Bantams, this season.
Clarke Oduor and his career so far
Odour began his career at Leeds United after signing his first professional contract at the club in January 2017.
It took him just two years to break into the first team and Marcelo Bielsa handed him his professional debut as an 85th minute substitute in a 2-1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup.
Unfortunately, that was as good as it got for Clarke Oduor at Leeds United and despite impressing for Carlos Corberan’s under 23’s Leeds side, he signed a four year contract at Barnsley.
His time at Barnsley started off on a positive foot. Clarke Oduor made his league debut just under four months after signing and went on to become a mainstay in Gerhard Struber’s side during the 2019/20 season.
On the last day of that season, Oduor popped up with first professional league goal against Brentford which guaranteed Barnsley Championship football for another season.
After Gerhard Struber’s sacking in October 2020, Clarke Oduor fell out of favour at Barnsley and was loaned out to at-the-time League Two side, Hartlepool United. He made 14 appearances for Pools in a season that finished in relegation.
This left Clarke Oduor as a free agent in summer of 2023 before he was picked up by Yorkshire rivals, Bradford City on a three year deal.
Clarke Oduor was a prominent figure for the Bantams in the 2023/24 season but, in what seems a common occurrence in Clarke’s career so far, he fell out of favour after a change in management.
The emergence of Bradford City fan favourite, Bobby Pointon left it tricky for Oduor to break in the team and has fallen further down the pecking order since.
Clarke Oduor’s style of play
He’s predominantly played most of his career down the left-hand side but it’s his versatility that will have attracted David Artell.
His ability of going forward as well as defending makes able to operate at left-back, left-wing-back, left-wing and as a left sided attacking midfielder.
However, Clarke Oduor has previously stated how he doesn’t enjoy playing further back and would much rather be playing further up the pitch.
In an interview last season, the ex-Leeds United prodigy was quizzed on his best position: “I just prefer being on the ball. I like to be on the ball and get as much space as I can.”
Technically, he’s a superb player. He has the ability to beat any man and when he’s in the mood, he’s the best player on the pitch. It’s just consistency that seems to be Oduor’s main issue.
With David Artell being known for his man-management, Grimsby Town and Clarke Oduor could be a match made in heaven.
