BRADFORD (Park Avenue) have confirmed the re-signing of their captain, Gianluca Havern.

The centre-back was one of several experienced players among the Avenue ranks last term, as they recovered from a difficult first half of the campaign to finish 18th in National League North, nine points clear of the drop, and now he is back for more.

Havern's new deal sees him sign until the end of the 2022/23 season.

He played 40 times for Avenue in all competitions during the 2021/22 campaign, one of only three players to hit that appearance mark.

He scored three goals and helped Mark Bower's side to several clean sheets, towards the back end of the season in particular.

On re-signing for the club, Havern stated: “I am pleased to have signed for my fifth season with BPA.

“There is a strong core of the team who have stayed and with a few more additions I think we will be really competitive again.

“See you all in July.”

Equally happy, boss Bower added: “I’m delighted that Luca has extended his stay with the club.

“Having lost Nicky Clee and Mark Ross, it was vital for us to secure one of our most experienced players for the coming season.

“Luca has been a key player for us for several years now and it is a real positive that he will be leading our team again for 2022/23.”