Reece James profiled as Bradford City run rule over ex-Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United defender
An in-depth look at Bradford City trialist - and ex-Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday defender - Reece James
Bradford City are running the rule over a player who is familiar with an array of Yorkshire clubs.
Reece James featured in the club’s recent 6-1 friendly win over FC Halifax Town and saw more action in their 1-0 loss to Accrington Stanley last night (July 17).
The 32-year-old was listed as a trialist in both games, although it did not take long for fans to recognise the left-back being assessed by the Bantams.
There is no guarantee he will sign for the West Yorkshire club, but he would arguably be a sensible addition for the League One club.
Here is everything you need to know about James after two outings as a trialist for Bradford.
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Manchester United grounding
James is now an experienced figure but was once a promising young defender in Manchester United’s ranks.
He graduated from the esteemed Red Devils academy and made his senior debut in August 2014, in an infamous 4-0 League Cup loss to Milton Keynes Dons.
It was during his time at Old Trafford that James first plied his trade in Yorkshire, as the Premier League giants loaned him to Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town after his temporary stint at Carlisle United.
EFL experience
Wigan Athletic gave James a chance to establish himself in the senior game when they paid an undiclosed fee to Manchester United for his services in 2015. During his time at the club, Bradford’s head of football operations David Sharpe was the Wigan chairman.
He was part of the Latics sides promoted from League One in 2016 and 2018, although injury meant he did not see any Championship action during the season in between.
Sunderland swooped for the defender in 2018 but he spent just one year at the Stadium of Light, making 34 appearances. A two-year spell at Doncaster Rovers followed, during which he thrived under the tutelage of Darren Moore, and James then had a stint at Blackpool.
He reunited with Moore at Sheffield Wednesday in 2022, helping the Owls seal promotion to the Championship. A permanent deal was then struck, but James was not quite as influential in the second tier and left upon the expiry of his deal at the end of the 2023/24 season.
He then returned to Rotherham, who had loaned James in during his early days at Manchester United. Across two seasons, James took his Millers appearance tally beyond the 100 mark, but could not prevent the club dropping out of League One last term. In the aftermath of relegation, James’ contract expired and he was freed to seek pastures new.
Profile
A cultured left-back, James is neat and tidy on the ball and can deliver a dangerous cross. Although a left-back by trade, he can operate further forward on the flank or as a defensive midfielder.
Hailing the defender in 2022, then-Wednesday boss Moore said: “He has got a lovely left foot on him and gives us that balance on the left-hand side. He has been superb. He is someone that I worked with at Doncaster. He has got wonderful versatility.”
Family connection
James is the younger brother of Wrexham midfielder Matty, who is also a product of Manchester United’s academy.
The older James brother also has Yorkshire history having been loaned to Barnsley twice while on the books of Leicester City.