Alan Connell is dreaming of making it back-to-back League Two promotions with City.

The former Swindon striker will meet his new team for the Ireland tour after signing a two-year deal yesterday.

Having top-scored for Paulo Di Canio’s title-winners last term, Connell believes he can match that success at Valley Parade.

He said: “Winning the league was a really big achievement and hopefully I can repeat that this season with Bradford.

“I want to be challenging up there in the top seven and I think we can do that with the squad we’ve got.”

Swindon paid around £115,000 to take Connell from Grimsby last year and he netted 13 times. But Di Canio made it clear that he would not be taking him into League One.

Connell added: “It’s something I didn’t see coming after such a good season. But football is a game of opinions and once I knew I wasn’t going to be part of it, I had to do what was right for myself.

“It’s been a strange period and I’ve been waiting for the right option to come along. I think Bradford City are the best club at this point of my career.

"I’ve had promotions from this league before with Bournemouth and Swindon and expectations were high at both clubs. Here it will be no different because this is the best supported club in the division.”

Phil Parkinson believes the 29-year-old will add something different to City’s strikeforce.

The City chief said: “He’s a very intelligent footballer. We did a lot of homework about Alan and everyone spoke highly of him as a player and character.

“It’s a good bit of business for us. He’s another good addition to the squad and slowly but surely we’re getting there.”

Connell is attracted by the prospect of giving City’s fanbase something to cheer.

He said: “To achieve success at Bradford would mean a lot to me personally. The club have been under-performing for quite a long time and if we could do something for the fans then it would be very special.

“The support was a big factor. I’m from London and the size of the crowd was a big aspect in me joining Bradford.”