CITY'S long-term vision of developing young players was key to Thomas Isherwood's decision to move to Valley Parade from Bayern Munich.

The Swedish youth international penned a two-year deal yesterday having spent three seasons on the German giant's books.

The left-sided 6ft 4in central defender, who was a member of Bayern's B team for the last campaign before his contract expired, had been on trial with Rangers last month.

After sealing his move to the Bantams, the 20-year-old said: "It is a great opportunity for me to play at a club who want to bring forward young players and develop them.

"They don’t just want to look in the short term.

"The long-term vision of developing young players was the biggest point for me – that made me decide to come to Bradford.

"It's a great step for me in my career and I hope to help the team as much as I want to develop. I want to help the team reach their goals."

Isherwood has featured twice for Bayern's first team in friendly fixtures and he helped the under-19s to a title triumph.

The Swede has played the majority of his football wihth their second team but believes he is ready to step up in League One with City.

He said: "In England you have an under-23 league but in Germany you put a B team in a senior league so you play against adults. It gets you ready for first-team football."

Isherwood's mother is Swedish but his father is English, with sections of his family still based in Manchester.

The youngster said: "I've family in this country and that helps 100 per cent to adapt to the city and the culture. I think that is a big thing for young players to be able to adapt quickly.

"I know the culture. Football is like a religion here and it is to me."

City's head of recruitment Greg Abbott hopes the club can tap into the potential which saw Isherwood linked with Manchester City prior to his move to Bayern's reserve set-up in 2015.

He said: "Thomas was recommended to us through people at Bayern Munich.

"They always had high hopes for him, but they feel it would be very difficult for Thomas to break through into their team now.

"Their level is clearly very different, though. They are looking at the elite players for their first team squad.

"He is a 6' 4'' left-sided defender – they can sometimes be a bit of a rarity – and he is another player we hope we can bring in and develop.

"How quickly he settles in and adapts will be down to him and the work we give him, but he is certainly someone who comes highly recommended to us."

Isherwood's capture follows the arrivals of Joe Riley and Josh Wright.

Despite the absence of a head coach, City are looking to press on with their recruitment and it is understood they could be close to making another addition.

Reports have linked them to several names, including left back Greg Leigh, who left the Bantams two years ago to join Bury.

Meanwhile, Grant McCann appeared to distance himself from the vacant City hot seat on social media last night.

The former Peterborough boss has been among the bookies favourites for the job but, according to his Twitter account, he states he has not had contact with the club.