Bradford City transfer latest: Australian international defender joins from Championship club Portsmouth
BRADFORD City have sealed the signing of Australian international defender Hayden Matthews, who has joined on a season-long loan from Championship outfit Portsmouth.
Matthews joined Pompey from A-League outfit Sydney FC in the 2025 winter window in a £1.25million deal, signing a four-and-a-half year deal with the south coast club.
Injuries have affected his time at Fratton Park, with the 22-year-old, a towering presence at 6ft 5in, featuring on 20 occasions.
Matthews is City's third recent loan arrival, with QPR midfielder Kieran Morgan and Blackburn Rovers defender George Pratt recently joining the club.
He is the club's 11th arrival of the summer window.
Matthews said: "I am delighted to be here. It is a massive club and I cannot wait to get out there and play in front of the supporters.
"I had a good conversation with the manager and he convinced me of the way he wants to play. I think it really suited how I want to play my football with high energy and pressing high."
Bantams chief Graham Alexander added: "Hayden has great attributes for a centre half in our team - mobility, composure in possession and a real competitive mindset.
"He is highly regarded and determined to show what he can do here."
Pompey have fielded interest from several League One clubs in the past few weeks regarding Matthews, who has fallen down the pecking order with boss John Mousinho keen to allow him to head out to boost his game-time levels.
Matthews made an impressive start to his Pompey career before sustaining ankle ligament damage against QPR in February 2025.
After making his comeback in 2025-26, he suffered another ankle issue, this time at Bristol City on New Year’s Day.
Matthews returned to start Pompey's final two matches against Stoke and Birmingham - only to then injure himself on an Australian training camp ahead of the World Cup finals.
He made 13 Championship appearances last term.