"Despite being a Huddersfield Town journeyman" - Bradford City urged to seal deal for 31-year-old | OneFootball

Matty Pearson has been linked with a Bantams move as he nears the end of his contract at Huddersfield

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Bradford City have been urged to wrap up the signing of out-of-contract Huddersfield Town defender Matty Pearson, following reports of interest in his signature, as Bantams boss Graham Alexander aims to build a decent League One squad following their promotion from the fourth-tier.

Alexander became the first manager to lead Bradford to the third-tier since Phil Parkinson in 2013 earlier this month, as his side sealed a third-placed finish in League Two with a last-gasp win over Fleetwood Town at Valley Parade on the final day of the season.

The Bantams have already been active in the transfer market, after ex-Wigan Athletic midfielder Max Power became their first signing of the summer on May 16 following a spell at Danish club Aarhus.

It is set to be a busy few months for the West Yorkshire side, as they look to bring in even more talent and depth in the hopes of consolidating their place in League One, and experienced centre-back Pearson could well be the second new face through the door soon.

Bradford City urged to get Matty Pearson deal over the line

Experienced centre-back Pearson recently reached the end of his fourth season as a Huddersfield player, and it proved to be his last, after he was released by the club earlier this month following 135 appearances in blue and white. He was a particular standout in the 2022/23 campaign, as he won their Player of the Season award despite being injured until January.

The Keighley-born stalwart previously helped Luton Town win promotion from League One in 2019 after notable spells with Halifax Town, Accrington Stanley and Barnsley. He was a regular in the second-tier for both the Hatters and the Terriers, and is now looking for another challenge in his career at 31-years-old.

Journalist Alan Nixon has recently reported that the newly-promoted Bantams are in talks to sign Pearson after his Huddersfield release, and he will be seen as a 'key player' in Alexander's side if he signs on at Valley Parade for next term.

FLW's Bradford fan pundit, Boris Thomson, has backed Pearson to be a success at the club if he does join soon, due to his experience in the third-tier and the Bantams' need for a player of his stature and ability at the back.

“I think, despite him being a Huddersfield Town journeyman, Matty Pearson will be a good signing for us,” Boris told FLW.

“He has got a lot of experience in League One and in the Championship. Defensively, he is very solid.

“He maybe lacks the ball-playing ability of someone like Jack Shepherd, who we are not likely to be able to get back this year, but I think Pearson will be a good signing.

“(He is) defensively solid, knows how to play in the division, and knows how to help clubs out of the division, I believe.

“Overall, I do think that he will be a good signing for us.”

Pearson would be a stellar addition to Bradford's ranks - Graham Alexander is confident in his summer recruitment plans

Bradford are a club on the up right now, and despite being a newly-promoted side in League One ahead of next season, their pulling power and potential to go on to even bigger things is set to stand them in good stead in the transfer market over the next few months.

Signing a centre-back like Pearson would be a huge boost to their chances of further progression, especially given that star defender Jack Shepherd is set to return to parent club Barnsley, while Romoney Crichlow has been released, leaving them with Aden Baldwin and Neill Byrne as their only under-contract senior options at the heart of the defence right now.

His wealth of experience makes him an attractive option for clubs across the EFL, however, with the Telegraph & Argus recently claiming that his services are of interest to a number of sides following his Terriers release.

Bradford can certainly feel confident of a deal being struck though, as a move will surely appeal to the 31-year-old due to his Yorkshire links.

Bantams boss Alexander has praised the backing he has received from the club's owner Stefan Rupp and board members ahead of the summer window, but has admitted that he will need to "work smart" because they "won't have the biggest budget."

Bringing in a player like Pearson, who could see Bradford as a shrewd move for his career to become a key man in the third-tier once again, while remaining close to home, would certainly make a lot of sense, and many supporters will surely hope that a deal is sealed as soon as possible.