CHRIS Kirkland has revealed that a late-night call from Preston stopped him signing for City.

The 34-year-old was all set to join the Bantams yesterday until the Championship side intervened. Instead he joined them on a one-year deal.

Kirkland, who was keen to get back to the north west for family reasons, said: “There was a bit of interest shown off Preston quite early on but it didn’t materialise for whatever reason.

“I went away with Bury training for a week then I went to Burnley. Both of them offered us something.

“Wigan came in last minute for me but that deal collapsed on the day I was going to sign.

"Burnley - because I'd turned them down - didn't want us. I was going to Bradford the other day and got a call off Preston again at 11pm the day before I was due to sign for Bradford.

“They said ‘come in the morning and sign’. It's done now and I'm delighted to be here.”