THE former City boss who first discovered Jussi Jaaskelainen believes he would be an ideal capture for his old club.

Jaaskelainen has been training with the Bantams as Phil Parkinson looks to add a second keeper to his squad.

City also have another top target in mind for the position but Colin Todd reckons the former Bolton and West Ham veteran fits the bill.

The one-time Valley Parade chief brought Jaaskelainen to England 18 years ago at Bolton – and reckons he is still worth a shot at the age of 40.

Todd told the T&A: "I wouldn't look upon that as a negative. There are quite a few goalkeepers who have gone on to that age, Brad Friedel being the most recent.

"Jussi's a good character, very level-headed and just gets on with the job. He looks after himself and trains well and I'm sure he has still got the motivation to be the best he can.

"He didn't play much towards the end at West Ham but he will still have that bravery to play in goal. He has always had the talent and ability.

"He should be a big asset in terms of communication with the back four and the respect he will command.

"Jussi has always played in the Championship and Premier League but I couldn't see him having any problems with dropping a division.

"His attitude and mentality will be the same. He'll want to finish on a high and help get the club towards their aim of winning promotion."

Todd, City's manager from 2004-07, is currently enjoying his second spell in charge of Danish Superliga side FC Randers after making a full recovery from last year's triple heart bypass operation.

It was in Switzerland that he first spotted a young Jaaskelainen in 1997 and quickly made his move, pipping Norwich for the young Finn's signature.

Todd recalled: "I was over to watch the Swiss national team. I got there the day before and went to see the under-21s play Finland.

"I wasn't watching anyone in particular but I liked the look of the goalkeeper straight away. I phoned the Bolton chairman Gordon Hargreaves and said he was a young one we should pursue.

"Unfortunately we got on to the wrong agent at first and I thought we'd missed the boat. But we eventually got there and it was well worth it because he proved to be one of my best-ever signings.

"We signed Jussi for £300,000, which might have sounded a lot of money at the time. But you look at his record after that and he's been absolutely brilliant.

"It tells you something that he was at Bolton as their first choice for 12 years. They could also have sold him to Sunderland for £7million a few years back, which shows that he was recognised as one of the top goalkeepers in England.

"I bought him for his potential and it was great to be proved right. He was a consistent goalkeeper for a long time at Bolton and they loved him there.

"I'm really pleased to see Bradford doing well and it will be great to see the fantastic stadium full this season. If Jussi does sign for them, they will be getting a very good player."