Bradford City pay fee to sign Elliot Watt from Wolves

City beat off competition to secure the Wolves starlet for an undisclosed fee as the transfer window officially opens for business today.

The Scotland under-21 international midfielder, who scored once in 14 appearances on loan at Carlisle last season, arrives at Valley Parade with a reputation for set-pieces.

McCall said: “Elliot is a young, up and coming player that I’ve kept tabs on for a while.

“I knew of him when he was at Preston as a kid, and then when he went to Wolves.

“I watched his under-23 game against Liverpool when they got beat 4-3 a few months back. He played in a role which I see him doing for us.

“Liverpool had a strong side out and he was up against Herbie Kane and Rhian Brewster. But he looked exactly what we are after.

“He’s technically very good and again has a real desire to be a footballer.

“He had another year left at Wolves and could have stayed and gone out on loan again.

“But he wanted to come here and make a career for himself. We’re really pleased it’s us he wants to do it with and hopefully he will be one that will progress with us for a few years.”

Watt, who is equally comfortable using either foot, spent his youth career at hometown club Preston before joining Wolves in 2016.

He made one senior appearance for Nuno Espirito Santo at Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup two years later.

Watt signed for Carlisle at the turn of the year and quickly established a regular role in midfield as the Cumbrians pulled clear of any relegation trouble before the season was halted.

He believes that getting that League Two experience under his belt already will smooth his transition to the Bantams.

Elliot Watt scores for Carlisle at Mansfield last season. Picture: Barbara Abbott

“I am buzzing to be here and cannot wait to get going in pre-season,” said Watt.

“From the minute I heard Bradford City was interested, it was straight ahead. I wanted to get the deal done.

“The size of the club speaks for itself and we should not really be in the division we are.

“I am here to work hard and help get this club where it deserves to be.”

Watt’s arrival comes 48 hours after the return of Callum Cooke. He becomes the fourth permanent signing of the summer following Billy Clarke and Levi Sutton.

The Bantams boss has concentrated his recruitment so far on midfield – an area where Harry Pritchard and winger Zeli Ismail were the only remaining senior players.

“We knew midfield was an area where we needed all different sorts,” added McCall.

“We’re trying to build something here. We’ve brought four midfielders in – Levi, Elliot, Cookey and Billy - and they are all different types of players.

The size of the club speaks for itself and we should not really be in the division we are

“But they are all primarily good footballers and have shown what we are after in a person. They’ve all got a real strong desire to work and I trust every one of them.

“It’s about getting a good dressing room with the right characters in it.”

McCall has also re-signed Richard O’Donnell and Dylan Mottley-Henry on new deals as City build towards the big kick-off on September 12.

The squad are due to return for the start of pre-season training on Thursday.