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Bradford Bring In Six
It has been a busy day over at Horsfall Stadium as Bradford Park Avenue have signed up six new players with the transfer window opening today.
Following Mikael Forssell's late arrival in early December, just before the free transfer window shut, Bradford PA failed to sign all of their targets before the deadline.
Arriving on pre-contract deals, the bunch of players will bring a much-needed freshener to the current squad, with many high-level players making the drop down to League Two as Adam Chabukiani pushes for a promotion spot this campaign.
Backed with summer money from sales like Sanchez Watt and Charles Dunne, it's fairly easy to see where the funding has come from for the spree of talent arriving in West Yorkshire today.
The first to come through the door was
Oscar Gobern (pictured), the former Huddersfield Town and Queens Park Rangers star. Since arriving at Loftus Road on a free transfer from Huddersfield in 2015, Gobern failed to make an impact on the London club, with his Doncaster Rovers loan spell his only real memory under contract there.
Gobern was released by QPR at the end of last season. He will wear the number twenty-two for Bradford Park Avenue.
Secondly, former Manchester City graduate
Godsway Donyoh has joined Bradford PA on a free transfer today. The Ghanaian was released by Manchester City last June with no first-team appearances, but three loan spells over in Sweden - two with Falkenbergs FF and one with Djurgarden IF, which both proved to be a surprising success in the Swedish top-flight.
This stemmed from his arrival from Ghana-based 'Right To Dream Academy', his former academy before joining Manchester City. Donyoh will wear the number fifteen for Bradford Park Avenue.
In a transfer which caught many off-guard,
Julien Vercauteren was snapped up by Bradford PA this winter. The 24-year-old winger has spent all of his career either in the top-flight of Belgium with Lierse SK, or in Ligue 1 with OGC Nice, Championnat National C with their reserves, and a loan spell at Championnat National side Chateauroux.
With no previous history in English football, many didn't see this one coming before it was announced by the club. Vercauteren will wear the number nineteen for Bradford Park Avenue.
Another player catching fans off-guard is the signing of
Vladimir Kovac. The Slovakian full-back was released by 1860 Munchen this summer after spending the majority of his career playing in their reserve squad, Munchen Lions II. At 26 years of age, Kovac is expected to offer some helpful experience to a youthful Bradford back line.
Kovac will play in the number fourteen shirt for Bradford Park Avenue.
A more familiar face in the shape of
Stephen Ward was met with much more recognition than other signings at Horsfall Stadium, with the Ireland international completing a two-year deal with the West Yorkshire club.
Ward has not been able to find a club since the decision to not renew his deal over at Burnley last season, but with Anthony Breslin uncovered at left-back, Chabukiani has realised the benefits of snapping up Ward. The 32-year-old will wear the number thirteen shirt for Bradford Park Avenue.
Finally, Bradford Park Avenue have their first ever Champions League winner in their ranks in the form of former Chelsea goalkeeper
Ross Turnbull. With Myles Wright dipping in form and Bailey Peacock-Farrell's transfer request, a move for another back-up keeper was made necessary for manager Adam Chabukiani. He picked Champions League, FA Cup, Club World Cup and Europa League winner Turnbull to be his man.
Although as unglamorous as the former Barnsley and Leeds United man was to be a holder of those winners medals, he is still undoubtedly handy at this level of football and will put on a good show when told to. The new goalie will play in the number twenty-five shirt.
In terms of backroom staff, Bradford Park Avenue have welcomed two new development team managers in Alan Dunne (U18s) and Michael Ratajczak (U21s) to replace the departing Chib Chilaka and Danny White. Italian coach Giorgio Gatti has also arrived at the club, as well as a new scout in Marcus Tudgay.
Bids have come in for wonderkids Lewis Bennett - now on loan at Halifax Town - and Alex Fletcher from AFC Bournemouth and Brentford respectively. Adam Pepper and Bailey Peacock-Farrell, a duo that have been exiled from first-team affairs for a while now have had their transfer requests accepted and they look to be on the move away from Horsfall Stadium sooner or later.