MARK Hughes has bolstered City’s defensive options by snapping up Matty Platt from Barrow.

The 6ft 3ins centre half becomes the latest recruit on a two-year deal after the end of his contract with the Bluebirds.

Platt has spent the past three seasons with the Cumbrian club and helped them to promotion from the National League while on loan in 2020.

The 24-year-old is a product of the Blackburn academy and spent seven years at Ewood Park. He has also had loan spells at Accrington and Southport.

Platt said: “I am delighted to be here and to finally have the deal sorted. I am just looking forward to getting going.

“Everything about the club sparked my interest as soon as I heard of the offer. Bradford City speaks for itself and the ambition really drew me in.

“I have spent three good years at Barrow which have enabled me to gather experience of this division and also getting promoted, which will hopefully stand me in good stead.

“I am like any footballer in that I want to be successful and play at the highest level I can.

“I would love for it to be at this club, getting promoted and moving back up the leagues to where it deserves to be.

“Someone like Mark Hughes in charge, with the experience and success he has had as a player and a manager, will only help me.

“I will give everything I have in a Bradford City shirt and cannot wait to get started.”

Platt’s arrival will inevitably throw a huge question mark over Paudie O’Connor. The City skipper has been offered a new Valley Parade deal but is understood to be considering interest from higher-division clubs.

Bantams boss Hughes is pleased to have added Platt to last week’s signings Harry Lewis and Jake Young.

“We are delighted to have secured Matty’s services for the next two seasons and are looking forward to working with him,” said Hughes.

“He is a strong defender with a great physical presence, but also a player comfortable on the ball and more than capable of playing out and fitting into the style we want to implement.

“Having spent the past few years at Barrow, he has sound understanding and experience of playing at this level, as well as being a part of a promotion-winning side.

“I am sure you will join me in welcoming him to Bradford City and wishing him the very best at Valley Parade.”