Bradford City have announced their third signing of the summer transfer window, with the addition of defensive expert Oscar Threlkeld.

Threlkeld, who was released by Salford City, is familiar with Derek Adams’ style of play after achieving promotion with the manager at Plymouth Argyle.

The 26-year-old began his career at Bolton Wanderers, where he made his first team debut against Sheffield Wednesday and went into make nine appearances for the Trotters.

He enjoyed a loan spell at Plymouth, where the club missed out on promotion through the play-offs, and made his move permanent the following season, where alongside Adams, he gained automatic promotion from Sky Bet League Two as the runners-up.

Threlkeld made 60 appearances for the Pilgrims, before departing for a new venture in Belgium, where he joined first division side K.V Waasland-Beveren, but after two appearances on a three year contract, he was shipped out on loan and returned to the South of England with Plymouth.

The versatile stalwart left Waasland-Beveren and made the switch to former Bradford manager Gary Bowyer at Salford City, making 47 appearances with the Ammies. 

  • Adams’ ally

Similar with the rumours of Yann Songo’o joining the Bantams, Threlkeld is the first of a player joining the club that Adams has worked with in the past.

Adams is well known for signing players he has previously managed, and therefore Threlkeld fits the agenda and will be familiar with the gaffer’s style of play. He is also clearly trusted by Adams, something which Bradford fans can get behind.

Threlkeld’s best quality isn’t perhaps his loyalty or his luscious locks, but his versatility. 

In Sky Bet League Two, the games come thick and fast, with players needing to be rested and rotated, something which Threlkeld can assist in. Comfortable in playing centre-back, right-back or defensive midfield, he offers an option that Adams can utilise if an injury does strike or the midfield needs covering, as it looks very thin right now. Elliot Watt and Levi Sutton suffered last season with fitness due to a lack of cover.

​​​​​​​One common denominator being mentioned in all of the new signings interviews, with Andy Cook and Abo Eisa, is the talk of ambition and heading in the right direction. 

Threlkeld adds to this idea, he said:

“It’s a massive club and it’s a new challenge for myself. The way the club wants to be looking forward to obviously be getting promotions and getting back to where they want to be, in my eyes the stature of the club, the stadium, the fans, we should be in the Championship at least.”

The talk of reaching the Championship and the club looking forward only spells good news for Bradford fans, with it now very clear that there is a project underway with the Bantams, and it’s an exciting time to be a fan of the club.