Bantams goalkeeper happy to sign new deal on reduced terms
GOALKEEPER Richard O’Donnell has turned down approaches from elsewhere to sign a two-year contract extension at Bradford City.
The 31-year-old from Sheffield joined the Bantams from Northampton Town in 2018 and has gone on to make 83 appearances for the club.
He kept 10 clean sheets in 33 games for City in League Two last season and has a wealth of experience in the EFL, previously playing for the likes of Bristol City, Sheffield Wednesday, Walsall and Rotherham United.
O’Donnell said the decision to stay was a “no-brainer” and was keen to pen new terms as soon as the offer was made by the club.
“I am delighted to get this deal over the line,” he said.
“As soon as the offer was made,
it was pretty clear what I wanted to do.
“When the gaffer first told me he wanted me to stay, I said straight away that this was the club I wanted to be at.
“My family have all really taken to Bradford City over the past two years and it was a no-brainer for me, once the offer was on the table.”
Bantams manager Stuart McCall revealed the goalkeeper has remained at the club on reduced terms while turning down offers from elsewhere.
“We are delighted to have an experienced goalkeeper like Richard with us again for the next two seasons,” added McCall.
“Due to the current circumstances, it has taken a while for us to actually put a solid deal on the table, even though we have remained in constant dialogue with him.
“He has accepted a deal on reduced terms and turned down other offers from elsewhere, which I think speaks volumes of his loyalty to our club.”
The news follows the return of Dylan Mottley-Henry on a oneyear deal and the signings of Billy Clarke and Levi Sutton.