PAUDIE O'Connor says he can't wait to get to know his fellow arrivals in a new-look City defence.

Gary Bowyer has been busy recruiting from front to back as City gear up to begin life in League Two when they entertain Cambridge United on August 3.

City have brought in defenders O'Connor, Adam Henley, Jackson Longridge, Ben Richards-Everton, Tyler French and goalkeeper Sam Hornby as Bowyer looks to shape his own squad.

O'Connor hopes to quickly gel with his fellow new boys when they return to pre-season training today and get ready for their pre-season friendlies.

He said: "There are a lot of new boys in the squad, as we had a lot of out-of-contract players who have left.

"Hopefully we can all gel and they can settle in well quickly. If we do that, I think it will show on the pitch. We will get back into training today and see if that can materialise."

The Irishman admits his career in England has been stop-start so far, but hopes his permanent move from Leeds United to City will give him the stability he needs to perform on the pitch.

Although flattered to be named Bantams skipper near the end of last season, O'Connor remains relaxed on whether he will get the nod to wear the armband this season.

He said: "Gary showed a lot of faith in me with the captaincy, but it's a clean slate for everyone. I really appreciated it. Whatever he wants to do about that, I will roll with it.

"I'm looking forward to getting back to it.

"I've had five or six weeks off and had a good break.

"All of the lads have probably been back from their holidays for the last couple of weeks, so we're itching to get back.

"A lot of us are looking forward to getting the balls out and getting back into training.

"It was a bit stop-start last year. I started off at Leeds but went out on loan to gain experience.

"It has settled down and it is good to get a three-year contract as they aren't given out very easily."