BRADFORD City goalkeeper Sam Walker has completed his permanent move to Championship outfit Watford.

The switch sees Kent-born Walker, 34, return to his family roots in the south.

The one-time Chelsea custodian spent two-and-a-half rewarding years at Valley Parade after joining in the 2024 winter window.

Walker was an ever-present for City during the 2024-25 promotion campaign and made 125 appearances in total for the club, keeping an impressive 39 clean sheets.

Bradford City goalkeeper Sam Walker has completed his move to Watford. Picture courtesy of BCAFC.

placeholder image — Bradford City goalkeeper Sam Walker has completed his move to Watford. Picture courtesy of BCAFC.

Having initially joined on an 18-month deal, Walker – whose former clubs include Colchester United, Reading and Kilmarnock – extended his stay after penning a new two-year contract last summer.

But the arrival of Scottish keeper Jon McCracken earlier this summer suggested that Walker would well be viewed as a second-choice in the forthcoming campaign.

With Watford expressing an interest, Walker has now been allowed to move on, with City making contingency plans to bring in another senior option alongside McCracken.

Former Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United goalkeeper Cameron Dawson, who left the Millers at the end of last season, has been linked with a move to City.

Walker made 125 appearances for Bradford City. Picture: Tony Johnson.

On Walker, City chief Graham Alexander said: “I'm genuinely going to miss him. He’s been a brilliant goalkeeper for us.

"He's played every single league game since he joined us two and a half years ago. So, great resilience after a period of not being a regular starter for a team.

"He's been a big driving force in that changing room, on that training field, in a positive way, always a positive force and a voice of calm.

"I said it to someone the other day, we've had other captains, but he's been the godfather of the squad."