Bradford City pushing to sign departing Huddersfield Town defender | OneFootball

Promoted Bradford City are pushing to bring in the out-of-contract Huddersfield defender Matty Pearson, according to reports.

Newly-promoted Bradford City are pursuing out-of-contract former Huddersfield Town defender Matty Pearson as they seek to strengthen ahead of their return to League One.

The Bantams ended last season in third place in League Two, and will need new reinforcements ahead of their first season back in League One since 2018/19.

And manager Graham Alexander is targeting a local player to bolster their ranks at Valley Parade, in what will be a real coup for their defensive unit if a deal is able to get over the line.

Bradford City in talks to sign Huddersfield Town defender Matty Pearson

Journalist Alan Nixon reported on Sunday that Bradford City are in talks to sign the aforementioned Pearson, who is exiting West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield this summer on a free.

It it claimed Bradford are making the signing one of their priorities, with the Bantams hierarchy considering Pearson - born in nearby Keighley - as a "key player" if he arrives.

Huddersfield finished last season in 10th place in League One and are currently looking for a new manager following the sacking of Michael Duff. Ipswich Town first-team coach Lee Grant is a leading candidate for the job, but whoever arrives at the club will have a clean slate to work with.

The decision was made for Huddersfield to release all out of contract players this summer, which has seen a plethora of experienced third tier players depart - that includes Pearson.

Matty Pearson would be a solid addition to Bradford City ranks

At 31 years of age, Pearson is a highly experienced central defender.

He has been with Huddersfield for the last four seasons, having also played in the EFL for Rochdale, Barnsley, Accrington Stanley and Luton Town, but his contract expires at the end of June, and he is therefore available as a free agent.

Pearson's career goes back more than a decade and has taken in all three divisions of the EFL. He also has the ability to be able to score goals as a defender, too, having managed to find the back of the net 16 times in league action Huddersfield over his four years with the club, including a very impressive five in 18 games during an otherwise injury-disrupted 2022/23, which saw him miss the entire first half of the season.

But Huddersfield decided not to renew his contract at the end of the season as one of ten senior players to be leaving the club this summer, meaning that he could be a sound investment for Bradford manager Graham Alexander, who will value the experience he can give to the Bantams backline as they seek to readjust to life back in the third tier after six years away.