HOMEGROWN defender Matty Foulds ripped up a contract in Italy to become City’s fifth January recruit.

The 22-year-old left-sided defender walked away from a two-year deal with Como to try his luck on trial at Valley Parade.

Foulds, a City fan from Clayton who began in the club’s academy, has signed until the end of the season.

He is a left back who can also operate as a ball-playing centre half.

Foulds said: “I am over the moon to be joining such a big club which I have supported all my life.

“Since leaving as a youngster, I always had dreams of coming back after watching the likes of Nahki Wells and James Hanson scoring goals - from the stands - so it is a bit of a dream come true.

“The standard in training over the week or so I have been here has been top notch, and I have really enjoyed myself so far. The lads have welcomed me with open arms and been brilliant, so I have settled in straight away.

“It is only initially until the end of the season, but I am looking forward to showing what I can do and hopefully helping get this club where it needs to be.”

Foulds made his senior debut as a 17-year-old with Bury before Roberto Martinez signed him in January 2016 for Everton, where won Premier League 2 twice and the Premier League Cup.

He played against City at Valley Parade for Everton under-21s in the Checkatrade Trophy in 2018 - and scored in a penalty shoot-out won by the Bantams.

Foulds was released by Everton last summer at the end of his contract and joined Serie C club Como in Italy in October. Foulds joined on a two-year deal but agreed to cancel it at the start of January to return home and team up with City.

City’s joint-interim bosses, Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars, added: “We have had Matty in for the past week or so and been really impressed by what we have seen.

“His attitude and application has been first class, and he has a lot of ability with potential to get much better - while still at a young age.

“He took it upon himself to leave Como and come on trial with us, which gives a good measure of how desperate he was to join.

“With him being born and raised in Bradford, we have kept tabs on him for quite some time, and watched a lot of him during his four years at Everton - where he developed well.

“He is determined to succeed at Bradford City, so we are really looking forward to seeing him in action.”