Bradford City AFC has kicked off its summer recruitment drive with the permanent signing of highly-rated Southampton goalkeeper Harry Lewis.
The 6ft 4ins stopper will arrive at the Utilita Energy Stadium on an initial two-year deal with the option to extend by a third season, when his contract with the Premier League side expires on July 1.
Prior to working under manager Mark Hughes on the south coast, Lewis made three Emirates FA Cup appearances for the Saints in 2017, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 third-round replay victory over Norwich City.
The 24-year-old then made 39 appearances on loan at Dundee United the following season, with 11 clean sheets helping the Tangerines to a third-placed Scottish Championship finish.
The Shrewsbury-born 'keeper has appeared on the Saints bench on four occasions in the top flight this term.
Lewis said: “I am delighted. I have had a walk around the stadium and you can see the size of the football club, and I am just so excited to get going. It is great to feel a part of it.
“It is an ambitious club and one that should not be in League Two. I am not interested in playing League Two football for years to come, and am really interested in this as a project. I want to be part of the team that gets it out of this division.
“The gaffer and I had a good few months working together at Southampton a few years ago so it has worked out quite nicely and led to this opportunity. He is a fantastic manager with great pedigree and I am looking forward to working with him more.
“I am in it for the long haul, am looking forward to getting on the pitch for Bradford City and am excited by where we can help this club go.”
Hughes said: “We are really pleased to have Harry with us. He is an outstanding goalkeeper who I know from my time at Southampton.
“We are getting an exceptional 'keeper who is really good in the fundamental areas, but his distribution with his feet is also very strong, which is something we like in a goalkeeper.
“We see him as a real coup and are delighted to be able to bring him to the club.”
Lewis will be sponsored by Keybury for the 2022/23 season, with his signing subject to the relevant EFL and FA clearances.