Bradford City AFC is delighted to announce the signing of experienced goalkeeper Sam Walker, on an 18-month contract.
The 6ft 6ins shot-stopper arrives at the University of Bradford Stadium with over 350 career appearances to his name, following the expiry of a short-term deal at Sky Bet League One side Charlton Athletic.
Walker began his career at Chelsea where, having joined from Millwall, he rose through the Blues’ academy, winning the FA Youth Cup in 2010 while conceding just three goals throughout the tournament.
He went on to serve loan spells at Barnet, Northampton Town, Yeovil Town and Bristol Rovers, before two-successive loan stints at Colchester United were made permanent in 2014.
The 32-year-old made over 200 appearances for the Essex outfit over the course of seven seasons, before moving to Reading and then Kilmarnock, where he turned out on 28 occasions in the Scottish Premiership last season.
Upon signing for the Bantams, Walker said: “Firstly, it is an honour to be here at a football club of this magnitude. It is a privilege to be able to pull on the shirt and I am here to help the team and the club get back to where it belongs.
“I have a really good relationship with Colin Doyle from my time at Kilmarnock. I really enjoyed working with him and was really interested in coming to a club like this.
“A vast amount of my experience is in League One and Two, with a bit of time in Scotland. I am quite a calm figure in goal, so will be hoping to bring that to the backline.
“From what I have been told, we have a really good group here, so I am just looking forward to getting going and helping the club move towards the play-offs and beyond.
“I am hugely excited and honoured to be playing at Valley Parade. I cannot wait to see everyone out there and am looking forward to getting us back to where we belong.”
City’s goalkeeping coach Colin Doyle said: “I would like to welcome Sam to the group, and am looking forward to working with him again.
“I have worked with him before in Scotland, and he did really well there at Kilmarnock.
“He is a great goalkeeper and a really good professional, who will bring bags of experience to the group.”
Walker will take the club’s No.1 shirt, and is in line to make his City debut against his former side this Saturday, when the Bantams visit Colchester (3.00pm). CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
He will be sponsored by Keybury, with his signing subject to the relevant EFL and FA clearances.