CITY new boy Harry Chapman hopes a permanent deal is the boost his career needs.

The 24-year-old has had five loan spells in his career, and has only ever managed a maximum of 31 league games in one season.

But that came last term, and he hopes being settled at Valley Parade will see him flourish.

Chapman told the T&A: “I hope this being a permanent deal can help kickstart my career.

“I’d be starting seasons and I didn’t know where I’d be playing, whereas I’ll be here for two years now, so I’ve just got to knuckle down, try and enjoy it, and help us be successful.

“I think everyone’s always disappointed if they’re not playing at any point, but hopefully I can get a run of games now, show off my best attributes and help my career.”

This is the lowest division Chapman has ever dropped down to, but he insisted: “I don’t feel the need to prove anyone wrong.

“I know my abilities and what impact I can have with a run of games..

“All I have to do is work on being the best version I can of myself.”

Chapman is from Hartlepool, and spent years at nearby Middlesbrough as a youngster, but never quite made the first-team grade.

Talking about his departure, he said: “It wasn’t easy, because it meant leaving home and leaving my family.

“I’d only been out on loan before so I wasn’t really leaving that behind, but Blackburn felt like the right (permanent) move.

“Tony Pulis was Boro’s boss at the time, and he was a lovely bloke, but his style didn’t suit me, so I needed to go.”

When Chapman was at Middlesbrough, he was part of the England Under-20s squad that won a World Cup in 2017, and the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Fikayo Tomori from that side have gone on to earn senior international honours.

But he bears no resentment, saying: “I don’t have any disappointment over what others have done since.

“There were some top-quality players and I knew I wasn’t the most talented in there, as there were others who were just better, more mature and developed than I was.

“Credit to the boys who have done well since and all I have are great memories of that tournament. It was an honour to be part of the squad, given what we achieved.

“We spent a month together and were all friends, and it was a great experience, being able to know how to win and use different tactics for each opponent.”

That bond served England well back then, and Chapman feels that is crucial to a successful side, which he hopes will include City by the end of the 2022/23 season.

He said: “I hope my promotion experience (with Barnsley, Sheffield United and Blackburn) helps.

“And I think in promoted groups, you need that togetherness, with everyone pulling in the same direction.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Harry Chapman (left) celebrates promotion from League One via the play-offs back in 2016. Picture: PA.Harry Chapman (left) celebrates promotion from League One via the play-offs back in 2016. Picture: PA.

“I hope we can get that going from pre-season, because it’s not just about fitness, it’s about getting to know everyone.

“With all of us new faces, we want to get that bond, and going on pre-season trips can only help that.”

Chapman expects it to be tough in League Two, despite joining from a higher division.

He said: “I hope I can rip it up, but I know the league won’t be easy and I’m not coming down here thinking it’ll be a stroll and that I’ll just be the best player.

“I’ve got to work hard, because it’s a different challenge in a different league.”

As for what he will bring to the team, winger Chapman mused: “I’m a good ball carrier who gets it from back to front quickly.

“I’m not really a goalscorer, I’m a creator. I like to cross the ball and get past my defender to set someone else up.

“I’ve never been a great finisher, but it’s something I’ve worked hard on to get better at.”

At only 24, Chapman still has plenty of time on his side, but asked if he had any sort of five-year plan to aim for, he said: “I just want to take things season by season.

“Every footballer wants to get to the highest level though, and that’s my dream too.

“I hope Bradford can catapult me towards that, or I can go on the journey with them up the divisions.”