Derek Adams has named his seventh signing of his Bradford City reign, with the addition of centre-back Fiacre Kelleher.
The defender, who stands at six foot five, began his career at former Scottish champions Celtic, but failed to make a first team appearance for the club, before enjoying a loan spell with Peterhead in Scotland.
Kelleher then made the switch to Oxford United, but after a successful loan spell with Solihull Moors and Macclesfield Town, his move to the Silkmen was made permanent.
Due to Macclesfield’s demise, Kelleher dropped out of the Football League for a year to join Vanarama National League side Wrexham, where he made 42 appearances before departing the Red Dragons for pastures new.
Bradford have now made seven signings, including the return of Alex Gilliead yesterday afternoon.
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A towering presence
At the height of 6”5, Kelleher is the towering, commanding centre-back needed at the club.
Challenging for the spot against Paudie O’Connor, Niall Canavan and Reece Staunton, Kelleher is an experienced head who will be sure to pass his expertise and guidance onto the younger defenders at the club, and alongside Canavan, has experience of bullying attackers into giving up possession.
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Much-needed cover
It could be argued that the Bantams are now overflowing in the centre-back department, but Kelleher has the quality to make a real push as a starter.
A regular in the division below last season, Kelleher demonstrated at Wrexham and Macclesfield that he is capable of competing regularly in League Two, and if O’Connor or Canavan are to get injured, Kelleher supplies that experience and knowledge that Staunton is yet to really pick up on, giving Adams a level of reliance.
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The project
A common factor amongst all of the new signing interviews at Bradford, is the talk of the project being built undwr Adams.
This hints at an exciting future ahead for the Bantams and their fans, if names such as Kelleher are being attracted by the managers belief in the project and the general direction the club is headed. Kelleher said: “It has happened quite quickly but the gaffer was very positive on the project he wants to start here.”.