TRIO SIGNS PROFESSIONAL OFFERS | News

Bradford City AFC are pleased to announce that academy trio Gabriel Wadsworth, Zac Hadi and Harry Ibbitson have signed their first professional contracts with the club.

The three academy graduates, all aged 18, have put pen to paper on initial one-year deals which will keep them at the University of Bradford Stadium for the 2024/25 season.

Striker Ibbitson enjoyed a sensational 2023/24 campaign, scoring 31 goals in all competitions for the club’s under-19 side and winning the Neil Matthews Academy Player of the Year award at City’s End of Season Dinner.

Goalkeeper Hadi has already had his fair share of senior involvement, operating as City’s third-choice goalkeeper behind Sam Walker and Colin Doyle in the second half of last season while Heath Richardson was out on loan.

Meanwhile, midfielder Wadsworth was offered professional terms last summer. He is the younger brother of Noah, who featured regularly in City’s day teams towards the end of the campaign, making his debut against Harrogate Town on Saturday 23 March.

On signing, Wadsworth (pictured above, left) said: “It’s a privilege to have signed my first professional contract.

“I’m a box-to-box midfielder. I am athletic and like to move around the pitch with a good range of passes and the ability to get into positions to score.

“I’m looking forward to the season ahead and I just have to make sure I keep working hard.”

Hadi (top, centre) said: “It feels brilliant. It’s something I’ve worked towards all my life and to do it at this club I’ve been at since I was nine means a lot.

“Being in and around the first team has been great as a player and a person, learning so much every day and being able to work with the likes of Sam Walker and Colin Doyle.

“I’m injured at the moment but I’ll try to get back as fit as possible. I want to be involved in the first team as much as I can this season and hopefully make my debut.”

Ibbitson (above right) said: “It’s a brilliant feeling to be signing for the club I’ve been at since I was 15.

“It’s important to have confidence and after the season I had, winning the Neil Matthews Academy Player of the Year award and scoring 31 goals, things are really positive.

“I am a person who likes to score goals. I also like the physical aspect of the game and I like to press up front for the team to make sure we have the ball as much as possible.

“I will get back into shape for pre-season and try to break into the first team next season.”

City head of academy Mark Litherland added: “All three players have shown great potential this season and we look forward to seeing their continued development.

“This is a big leap, so it is important for us to plan their way forward and make sure that when the first team call them up, they are ready and the fans can see them wearing our shirt.

“The track is a huge selling point for our academy in terms of recruiting. If you can see players coming through our academy and playing for the first team, it’s really encouraging – from under-8 level to professional development.

“This is the result of the process; seeing the lads in the first team doing well. We just want to see them continue to progress and develop.”

Zac Hadi will join the men’s first team goalkeepers to be sponsored by Keybury Fire and Security for 2024/25. Harry Ibbitson will be sponsored by Kalcrest Careand Gabe Wadsworth of Complete IT systems.