Bradford City secure Peterborough United's Callum Cooke on permanent deal despite interest from elsewhere

The 23-year-old spent last campaign on loan at Valley Parade from Peterborough United and has now made his stay in West Yorkshire permanent.

Cooke has also spent time at Crewe Alexandra and Blackpool FC after starting his career with Middlesbrough.

The midfielder had interest from elsewhere but insists he was always determined to come back to Bradford.

“I just knew, when my loan finished here last season, that I wanted to come back. I got straight on the phone to my agent and told him this was the club I wanted to be at," said Cooke.

“It was a no-brainer for me and I am delighted to have got it sorted. Playing for this club, the minimum is to give 100 per cent and I just cannot wait to get going here again.

“I feel, from a footballing perspective, I have a lot more developing to do and playing here under the gaffer and Kenny (Black) will bring that out of me.”

Bantams manager Stuart McCall was always hopeful that Cooke would return to the club but feared interest from elsewhere could have scuppered the move.

McCall added: “Callum is certainly a player who had a positive impression on myself and Kenny, in the time we had with him last season.

“We were always hopeful of being able to bring him back, though feared it would prove difficult because of the interest he was drawing from other clubs.

“Above anything else, Callum is a good footballer - who we feel suits our style of play - and was as eager to return as we were to have him.

“He has a great personality and carries a lot of the characteristics we want to bring into the club.”

Cooke will officially join Bradford on August 1, when his contract with Peterborough expires.

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