Rising stars Charlie Wood and Harvey Rowe have agreed one-year professional contracts with the Bantams.
Wood, 18 (pictured right, above), has penned a deal which will see him move straight into Derek Adams’ first-team ranks - ahead of the 2021/22 season.
Seventeen-year-old Rowe, meanwhile, has agreed terms on a professional contract which will begin from the 2022/23 campaign, after the youngster has completed the second of his two-year academy scholarship with the club next term.
An attack-minded midfielder, Wood has already made his first-team debut in claret and amber, coming off the bench in November’s Papa John’s Trophy clash with Oldham Athletic.
He scooped the Bantams’ 2021 The Yorkshire Catering Company Academy Player of the Year award at this year’s online ceremony, after a successful 12 months within City’s academy ranks.
Rowe, who can operate anywhere down the right-hand side of the field, joined the club back in 2018. He is yet to make a senior appearance, though netted the winning goal in a dramatic FA Youth Cup extra-time victory over Carlisle United in 2019.
This comes following the news another two of City’s academy graduates, Jorge Sikora and Kian Scales, had signed new, respective one and two-year contracts at Valley Parade.
Wood said: “This is a great achievement for me, and is what I have been working towards for a long time.
“Now, the hard work continues. I have got to kick on from here and progress in the game.
“I have really enjoyed playing in the under-18s team, and feel I have developed a lot since starting my scholarship.
“Training and playing with the first team last season was a really good experience, and was the first step towards what I want to achieve.
“I was happy to have made my debut and, hopefully, I can earn some more appearances and kick on next year.”
Rowe said: “I am delighted. It was a tough start to the season for me with injuries, but the hard work has paid off to get me to this point of my career.
“I joined three years ago, and from there I have been pushed up to play with the under-18s, which has been great.
“I have progressed and am looking forward to the final year of my scholarship, before I turn professional next summer.”
City’s academy manager, Neil Matthews, said: “It is always a great moment for the players, with the journeys they have been on, to take a step closer to getting out onto the pitch for the first team.
“It gives everyone in the academy a great sense of pride. Our goal is to get these players to the highest level we can, and I have no doubt they will keep making progress.
“They have worked extremely hard for this. It is up to them, now, to continue with the right mentality. If they do that, I am sure they will succeed.”
Bantams boss Derek Adams said: “We are really pleased to have been able to tie these two fantastic young talents down on professional contracts, and are looking forward to seeing how they further develop.
“I have not been at the club all too long, but am fully aware of the talent both these players possess, and the potential they have.
“For Charlie, it is a great opportunity for him to further his development after gaining his first professional contract.
“Harvey, similarly, has a chance to continue his growth and hard work as a scholar for another year, before we welcome him into our ranks ahead of the 2022/23 season.
“We are looking forward to working with the pair of them more - over the course of the next 12 months - as we continue to nurture stars through our academy.”
Charlie Wood is now available to sponsor ahead of the 2021/22 season. For more information, please CLICK HERE or e-mail commercial@bradfordcityafc.com.
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