Evans’ exit confirmed with switch to Bradford

GARETH EVANS’ Pompey stay has officially come to a close.

The remainder of the huge Blues favourite’s contract has been cancelled - with the 32-year-old joinig League Two Bradford.

Valley Parade’s his destination on a two-year deal, as he returns north following 218 appearances and 36 goals at Fratton Park.

Bolton were mooted as a possible alternative for the League Two title winner, but the forward opted for a return to the Bantams.

The move will see Evans rejoin the club he made 86 appearances for between 2009 and 2011.

It also brings to an end a memorable stay at the club he will be most closely linked with after being brought in by Paul Cook in 2015.

News of the former Manchester United academy player’s exit has been greeted with a huge outpouring of emotion from supporters.

That underlined his position as one of the most popular men to pull on a royal blue shirt in recent seasons.

Evans will always be closely associated with the dramatic League Two title success, scoring in the game which sealed promotion at Notts County and the enthralling final-day win over Cheltenham which delivered silverware to Fratton Park.

The former Fleetwood man’s role in the ensuing celebrations in 2017 cemented his place as a great among supporters and put him in Fratton folklore.

His penalty against Stevenage last month also saw the versatile player complete the rare feat of scoring in six consecutives seasons for Pompey - equalling feats achieved by another two former Blues favourites, Kanu and Matt Taylor.

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