WITH Olympic sprint champion Linford Christie as his godfather, Omari Patrick should be no slouch.

But then speed and athleticism are the buzzwords behind the new young recruits that City have just unveiled.

Centre forward Patrick, winger Tyrell Robinson and midfielder Callum Gunner are all evidence that the game is becoming quicker and stronger.

Head of recruitment Greg Abbott believes the Bantams may have unearthed three gems in their move to identify young talents to develop.

Patrick, a powerful 6ft 1in tall, emerged through the non-League ranks with Kidderminster before a short stint at Barnsley.

Abbott said: "His pedigree as an athlete is fantastic. Not only is Linford Christie his godfather but Omari's dad won a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games.

"Yet he's had no professional coaching. We took him into training and the lads were remarking how well he'd done. That was the first time he'd ever trained with somebody's first team and he's 20.

"He's missed probably three or four years, so in terms of his development he's probably only about 17.

"I've watched Omari two or three times and he's everything we haven't got. He's lightning quick, runs in behind and is good with both feet.

"For what he'll cost us, it's worth us developing him for a year to see if he can get to the level we want. If he doesn't, then we've given it our best shot."

Robinson was on Arsenal's books from the age of seven. Now at 19, City have jumped in with a deal after Watford wavered.

They were alerted to his potential by Abbott's former Notts County skipper Hayden Mullins, who was in charge of Watford's academy side with Harry Kewell.

Abbott said: "Hayden said they were 50-50 about taking this kid. I went to watch Watford v Barnsley about two months ago and he did ever so well.

"He's one we are going to throw in to the group of young players. He's got bags of pace and is a strong, athletic kid with a great desire to prove everybody wrong. For the type of contract he's on at the moment, it's another easy one for us to do.

"He's buzzing to be here. I took him to the ground in the middle of the pitch and he said: 'It's not quite the Emirates but it's not far off!' He is really excited about coming – but that's the same with all of them."

Box-to-box midfielder Gunner has already played, and scored, in City colours in the final reserve game against Wrexham. He was released by Swindon after they were relegated to League Two.

Abbott said: "Swindon are having no group between the youth team and the first team. They are running a dangerous risk of losing the players they've spent a lot of years developing.

"We got recommended him by someone who's got a really good pedigree in terms of knowledge of young players. Callum played a game in our reserves and was an absolute stand-out.

"He's a midfield player who can get past people and has got a great goal-scoring record. He's got pace and energy and is a great size – he's just 18 and nearly six foot already.

"He's another who is different to the ones we've got. He doesn't replicate the young players already here."