Striker Tom Clare has signed his first professional contract with Bradford City after impressing on trial in the Under-18s and Under-23s during the latter stages of the season.
The 6ft 5in teenager had spent the majority of his apprenticeship at Barnsley, but was allowed to leave towards the end of his second year to pursue a deal elsewhere, leading him to the Bantams.
Clare told the club website: “Bradford is massive club with a huge following. I have heard a lot of good things about the club and I can’t wait to get started.
“Hopefully I can show the fans what I can do and look to progress towards the first team at some point next season.
“I was with Omari (Patrick) when he used to be at Barnsley. I spoke to him about this move before joining and he just said what a good opportunity this would be for me.
“As you could see with Omari last season, there is that chance at Bradford to progress from the development team into the first-team squad. I will get the chance to train with the first-team next season and hopefully learn a lot from them.
“I like to use my height to compete for aerial balls but I can run in behind as well, I’m not just a hold-up player. This is a new club and a new challenge for me, and I am really excited to get going.”
Head of Recruitment Greg Abbott added: “Tom has really got a lot going for him, he’s an 18 year-old lad but is 6”5 and plays like a traditional big number nine. He certainly brings something different to the group.
“This club have always had big centre forwards who have that ability to get themselves on the end of crosses. From Bobby Campbell to Ron Futcher to Charlie Wyke, Tom is one of that dying breed of tall, physical goalscorers.
“He’s still got an awful lot to learn, but we’ve already seen what can happen when young players get their chance in the first-team here. Ultimately, this is a signing which fits with our strategy.
“It’s just as important that we get recruitment at this end of the scale right as when we sign players who are going straight into the first-team.”
