Bradford City: Bantams sign ex-Huddersfield defender Clarke

BRADFORD CITY have snapped up former Huddersfield Town centre-half Nathan Clarke - with the 31-year-old signing a one-year deal at Valley Parade.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Jul 2015, 19:00 BST
Chesterfield vs Leyton Orient - Caolan Lavery is bought down in the box by Leyton Orients Nathan Clarke - Pic By James WilliamsonChesterfield vs Leyton Orient - Caolan Lavery is bought down in the box by Leyton Orients Nathan Clarke - Pic By James Williamson
Chesterfield vs Leyton Orient - Caolan Lavery is bought down in the box by Leyton Orients Nathan Clarke - Pic By James Williamson

The arrival of Halifax-born Clarke ends Bradford’s search for an experienced central defender following the exit of Andrew Davies.

Clarke has the option of signing a further year with City, with the former Orient captain spotted in the crowd in the club’s 2-0 friendly win over Carlisle United at the weekend.

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Clarke joined Orient in 2012 and was a regular in the side for three seasons, skippering the East Londoners in their League One penalty shoot-out loss to Rotherham United in May 2014.

Clarke, who younger brother Tom plays at Preston, started his career at Bradford’s neighbours Huddersfield and made 300 appearances for Town after coming through the youth ranks and making his debut at the age of 17 in September 2001.

Clarke is Phil Parkinson’s second defensive recruit so far this close season and sixth capture in all.

Parkinson has previously brought in former Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and Blackpool defender Tony McMahon, along with experienced frontman Steven Davies - a team-mate of McMahon’s at Pool - and ex-Port Vale winger Mark Marshall.

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City have also brought in former Hartlepool United striker Luke James in from Peterborough United on loan along with former Blackburn Rovers midfielder Josh Morris and young American teenage forward Jonathan Lewis from Fort Lauderdale.