The Bradford City evidence that will convince Grimsby Town and David Artell of new signing | OneFootball

Grimsby's recent signing Jamie Walker is hugely admired by supporters of previous club Bradford, who believe his attributes make him a top addition.

Grimsby Town added experienced attacking midfielder Jamie Walker to their ranks this week, with the 32-year-old agreeing a two-year contract at Blundell Park. It appears to be another solid signing by David Artell, with supporters of his previous club, Bradford City, full of gratitude for the qualities and character the Scotsman will look to bring to Blundell Park ahead of the 2025/26 League Two campaign.

Walker, who came through the ranks at Scottish club Heart of Midlothian, initially spent seven successful seasons at Tynecastle that also included a loan spell at Raith Rovers during the 2011/12 season, and the Scottish Championship title in 2015.

The Edinburgh-born attacker moved south in January 2018, joining League One Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee, and playing his part in the Latics winning the third-tier title at the campaign's conclusion.

A half-season loan spell at Peterborough United followed, before Walker returned to his boyhood club Hearts on a three-year-deal in the summer of 2019.

Picking up another Championship winners medal during his second spell in the Scottish capital, Walker headed back to England in January 2022, joining Bradford on loan before making the move permanent the following summer.

Walker's stint at Bradford provides a positive insight into what he can offer the Mariners.

In the three years that followed, the playmaker has etched himself into the hearts of the Bantams support, with his quality on the ball and his workrate and desire to win back possession ultimately leading to him becoming a well-respected member of the City squad that won promotion to League One last season in dramatic fashion.

City fans were quick to let the Grimsby following know just what a good acquisition they have made in bringing the Scotsman to North East Lincolnshire, lavishing praise on the attributes Walker, who turned 32 this week, will bring to the table.

Since first signing for the West Yorkshire outfit in 2022, the attacker has made 125 appearances for a Bradford side who finally got over the line in May after flirting with promotion in the prior campaigns.

Scoring 19 times and providing 13 assists in that time, Walker made himself a firm fan favourite, often being the one to change a game in his side's favour with his composure and vision creating something out of nothing in offensive areas.

The energetic former Hearts man possesses that nous and intelligence that, at League Two level, can open doors that many others can't.

Walker is just as effective off the ball as he is on it, with his attitude to pressing opponents and closing them down quickly second to none. Certainly not afraid of putting his foot in, these attributes will further endear him to the Mariners faithful, and, alongside the likes of Danny Rose and Kieran Green, should allow Artell to play his favoured high-intensity style effectively.

Attacker also offers a wealth of knowledge to a somewhat young and inexperienced Grimsby squad

With midfielder Curtis Thompson moving on, the Mariners' youthful squad further lacked a little guile and experience throughout, with the aforementioned Rose the only player in the squad over 30 years of age.

The arrival of Walker not only helps in terms of quality on the pitch, but also that leadership and winning mentality in the changing room and on the training ground.

Successful fourth-tier sides often have a sprinkling of players that have been there and done it previously, and Artell will be delighted to have Walker on board to help provide that balance.

The attacker has the ability to play in multiple positions, be it as an attacking midfielder, a number 10, or on either flank. This factor cannot be understated in terms of offering his manager the tactical flexibility to switch between systems regularly or even mid-game to get the upper hand.

Whichever way you look at it, the addition of Walker is a welcome one to the Blundell Park ranks, and Artell and the Mariners support will be hoping the former Scottish youth international can have the same effect for Grimsby as he did at Bradford.