Niall Canavan Joins Bradford City From Plymouth Argyle

Bradford City Sign Niall Canavan

Return to the Club

The Leeds-born centre-back is returning to the club where he first started playing football. Canavan was in the Bradford academy until the age of 12 before being released.

The 29-year-old then moved to Scunthorpe United, which is where he made his senior football debut. Canavan made 10 appearances in all competitions for the Iron, who finished 20th in the Championship.

Canavan eventually became a first-team regular at Glanford Park following their relegation to League One. He made a further 153 appearances for the club, scoring 14 goals, before leaving for Rochdale in 2016.

After just two seasons, though, he was released from Spotland following a string of injuries. Despite suffering relegation to League Two during his first season at Home Park, the 2019/20 campaign saw Canavan help them earn an immediate promotion back to the third tier.

What Was Said?

Speaking about his move to the Bradford City website, Canavan said: “I am delighted to be here. I have always wanted to play for this club and it is a great chance for me to come home.

“I grew up watching Bradford City and have always had that ambition to be one of the lads who runs out at Valley Parade. I was in the academy as a young lad and used to come here a lot as a ballboy

“As soon as the call came in, I was very eager to get the deal done and, thankfully, we have been able to get everything sorted. This is a brilliant club and I am looking forward to pushing on.”

Mark Trueman and Connor Sellars, who are currently both in charge of the Bantams on an interim basis, said: “His experience at this level and above is there for all to see, and the fact he has left a club from a higher division speaks volumes of how much he is bought in to what we want to achieve.”