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Clubs up and down the EFL divisions are always looking to add some quality young loanees from the top clubs in English football and Bradford City are no different.

Many footballers who have gone on to great things in the game have featured in the EFL at some point in their careers. One such player is current England captain Harry Kane, who spent spells on loan at Leyton Orient, Millwall, and Leicester City, all EFL clubs at the time of signing Kane on loan.

Bradford have, over the years, had several loan signings who have gone on to play in the Premier League, including Reece Burke in recent years, who is currently plying his trade at Luton Town.

One loan player the club could look to sign on loan is 18-year-old Bradford-born Sahil Bashir from Brighton and Hove Albion. The talented young wide attacker has scored 7 in 16 games with 2 assists for the Brighton 18s during the 2023-24 season and could be looking to showcase his talent in men’s football.

Sahil Bashir would make sense as a Bradford target

The young attacker has shown his talent throughout the academy at Brighton over the past few years after joining the Seasiders from Bradford City as a 16-year-old and followed the likes of Alfie Bradshaw (Nottingham Forest), Darryl Ombang (Leeds), Alvin Ayman (Wolves) and Max Ruddock (Wolves), who have also left the Bantams as teenagers to teams near the top of English football.

With Bradford City possibly looking to move out of favour Vadaine Oliver out of the club, and possibly also the likes of Tyler Smith, who could look for more first-team opportunities elsewhere next season, which could open the door to the club bringing in another attacker.

The club lost a number of wide attacking options from last season, with many returning to their parent clubs. Also, fellow wide player Harry Chapman will leave the club at the end of his contract in June.

Adding a player like Bashir, who has shown his ability throughout the academy levels, could be a stroke of genius for the club. The virtually unknown prospect at the men’s first-team level could be a signing that helps lead the club towards promotion.

Signing Sahil Bashir could be great for the club and community

Bashir could be a great signing for the club on and off the field. The young man is from the city, and his return could similarly bring a positive vibe that Bobby Pointon's inclusion to the first team has. He is 'one of our own', as the fans love to chant.

If Bashir were to join the Bantams on loan and feature in the first team, he would be the first Pakistan footballer since Zesh Rehman to represent the club. He would potentially inspire young supporters of a similar Pakistani background to pursue their football dreams while also further uniting the club’s fanbase across communities.

The loan market undoubtedly provides clubs in the lower levels of the EFL with a way to add some needed raw talent to their squads, exposing young players to men’s football and helping them progress to become better players.

Should Bradford bring in Bashir, it could be the start of a great career for the left-attacking winger at the first-team level of football.