One vital component of the transfer window for players in need of game time but unable to obtain it at their parent clubs is the loan market. Bradford City has added players to an already active roster this summer, and more signings are undoubtedly in store for the upcoming months.
The club will be searching for more transfers to join the four that have already committed for the upcoming season: Callum Johnson, Antoni Sarcevic, Aden Baldwin, and Neill Byrne. Ten players from Valley Parade will be leaving at the end of their contracts this summer, and Matty Platt has already agreed terms with Notts County. It’s possible that some players will go on loan or leave the team permanently.
FLW has concentrated on two players that could depart Bradford City on loan this summer in an effort to get more playing time, show off their abilities, and eventually win over manager Graham Alexander when they return to the team following a possible loan transfer.
Harry Ibbitson
Bradford fans have been hearing a lot about Harry Ibbitson since the end of the last campaign into the summer.
The 18-year-old Ibbitson has signed his first professional contract with the team. He could look to follow in the footsteps of fellow former youth player Bobby Pointon, who left the team for loan periods at Brighouse Town and Farsley Celtic before coming back and making his breakthrough into the first team the previous season.
Known for his ability to score goals, he led the U19s in scoring last season with 31 goals across all competitions. This suggests that Ibbitson might try to get a transfer up the National League ladder, which would be a fantastic opportunity for the striker to show off his skills his abilities in the men’s division.
Local teams Guiseley AFC, Halifax Town, and Farsley Celtic all compete at various levels in the non-league system, and they might be interested in signing Ibbitson to expand their offensive options. Furthermore, Ibbitson will have a hard time finding Bradford playing time because Andy Cook, Calum Kavanagh, Jake Young, and Tyler Smith are all vying for the forward starting spots in the upcoming campaign.
Lewis Richards
Another very young player on the team, Lewis Richards, may soon be a starting left-back or left wing-back in the bottom two EFL divisions.
Even though the 22-year-old has made 31 appearances for the team across all competitions, he is still a little raw. Bradford has played a 3-5-2 formation to far under Alexander, thus the left wing-back position has been difficult. Teams tried to isolate Brad Halliday, the right wing-back, in order to limit Bradford’s offensive output.
Right now, Richards would be a solid backup option, but the defender—who joined the team in 2023 after leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers—will probably want more playing time. Given that Clarke Oduor can fill the role and the possibility of If the team signs a new left-sided defender or two, a loan move might be the smartest course of action for everyone involved come football season.
Richards and Ibbitson might benefit greatly from playing time and the experience of a full season in the first team. Better, more complete players, they may go back to the Bantams and advance from there.
