Scannell impressed by Bradford City ambition after switching from Huddersfield Town

Huddersfield Town's Sean Scannell. Picture: Anthony Devlin/PA.

The 27-year-old joins the Bantams for an undisclosed fee to become the 12th signing of the summer by new head coach Michael Collins. He has signed a two-year deal.

Town’s longest-serving player arrives with more than 300 Championship appearances to his name. He was at Valley Parade on Tuesday night to watch City’s 3-2 friendly defeat to Sheffield United.

Scannell will hook up again with midfielder Jack Payne, who made the same switch from the John Smith’s Stadium to Bradford earlier this week on a season-long loan.

“I was made aware that Bradford City and a few other clubs had shown interest in me, though I was quick to choose this club,” said Scannell. “I am extremely happy to be here and cannot wait to get going.

“I have spoken at length to Michael Collins and he has discussed the way in which he wants the team to play, which is a massive attraction for me. The style excites me.

“I played with Hope Akban at Burton and after speaking to him about coming to Bradford City my mind was made up. There is a huge amount of history and ambition at this club. I have seen the stadium and the new pitch, which looks fantastic, and I know this is the right move for me.

“I am really looking forward to making my first appearance on home soil. From midfield, I will be looking to attack and get on the ball as much as I possibly can.

“The aim is definitely the top half of the table and going up, which is another reason why I wanted to come here. When the first game of the season comes, it is all about starting well and showing we mean business from the start.”

Scannell will not have to look too far to learn more about Bradford. Jamie Lawrence, part of the Bantams side that reached the Premier League in 1999, is a good friend and someone the winger has credited with helping his career.

Summer camps laid on by Lawrence in the capital helped Scannell from 2014 onwards return to pre-season training at Huddersfield in tip-top shape. In that first season after undertaking the gruelling sessions, Scannell was named Players’ Player of the Season at Huddersfield.