City secure Platt signing

Bradford City AFC has announced the signing of defender Matthew Platt, on a two-year deal.

The 6ft 3ins centre-back arrives at the Utilita Energy Stadium on an agreement at least until the conclusion of the 2023/24 campaign, following the expiry of his contract at Barrow.

Platt has spent the past three seasons in Cumbria, helping the Holker Street outfit to the National League title while on loan in 2020, before two years with the Bluebirds in Sky Bet League Two.

A product of the Blackburn Rovers academy, the 24-year-old spent a total of seven years at Ewood Park, also enjoying loan spells at Accrington Stanley and Southport.

He said: “I am delighted to be here and to finally have the deal sorted, and am just looking forward to getting going.

“Everything about the club sparked my interest as soon as I heard of the offer. Bradford City speaks for itself and the ambition really drew me in.

“I have spent three good years at Barrow which have enabled me to gather experience of this division and also getting promoted, which will hopefully stand me in good stead.

“I am like any footballer in that I want to be successful and play at the highest level I can, and would love for it to be at this club, getting promoted and moving back up the leagues to where it deserves to be.

“Someone like Mark Hughes in charge, with his experience and success he has had as a player and a manager, will only help me. I will give everything I have in a Bradford City shirt, and cannot wait to get started.”

Bantams boss Mark Hughes said: “We are delighted to have secured Matty’s services for the next two seasons and are looking forward to working with him.

“He is a strong defender with a great physical presence, but also a player comfortable on the ball and more than capable of playing out and fitting into the style we want to implement.

“Having spent the past few years at Barrow, he has sound understanding and experience of playing at this level, as well as being a part of a promotion-winning side.

“I am sure you will join me in welcoming him to Valley Parade and wishing him the very best at Bradford City.”