CITY pipped former boss Derek Adams to bring back Dion Pereira.

Adams, who took the winger to Valley Parade in January but never got the chance to see him play, wanted him on loan at Morecambe.

It is understood that Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol Rovers were also keen on the Luton man and there was League Two interest from Swindon and Mansfield.

Pereira’s deadline-day return was the final action of a hectic transfer window for the Bantams, who also brought in speedy Aston Villa wide man Tyreik Wright yesterday.

City had been tracking Pereira all summer but feared they would miss out - until the start of the week.

“It was probably Monday, early Tuesday, the first inkling that we had of it,” said Mark Hughes.

“It moved very rapidly but that’s a lot to do with Dion as well.

“Once he understood that he wasn’t going to be in and around the first-team squad at Luton, then he wanted to play football.

“The options for him weren’t ones he wanted to take and you always felt he had something in the back of his mind that he’d want to come back here.

“I think that’s because of the experience he had last year and the good feeling he had from the club and the supporters. You never forget that.

“To get the opportunity to come back makes sense for him and for us. He’s going to hit the ground running because he knows exactly what I expect and he just loves playing in front of Bradford City supporters.”

Pereira signed a new contract with Luton before the loan move. Hatters boss Nathan Jones believes he has “unfinished business” at City after the previous 10-game stint.

Pereira said: “I had a conversation with the gaffer at Luton and we both agreed that we would look at the best club possible for me and obviously Bradford came up.

“When I found out Bradford was a green light, I just wanted to get up here and start playing.

“As everyone knows, last season ended on such a positive note and that was on my mind. Obviously, the fans messaged me here and there and reminded me what a good club this is.”

Pereira was blown away by the positive reaction from City supporters when the news broke of his return. He cannot wait to play in front of them against Walsall tomorrow.

“As a player you love it. My family messaged me and asked me where I’m going but until Tuesday I didn’t have a clue.

“I was over the moon once it was confirmed with Sparksy (Ryan Sparks) and the gaffer and just wanted to drive straight up here.

“When I first came, I had the bad luck of being injured so the fans didn’t know who I was or what I could do.

“Luckily, that changed sooner rather than later and I showed what I could offer. The fans took to me and I started to give them back what I owed the club.

“For any player, especially being an attacking player and young, you just want to be playing football.

“Playing that block of 10 games did my confidence a whole lot of good.

“Getting a goal against Bristol Rovers away did me a lot of good, especially after a tough time being injured, and finishing on a real positive note winning the last three games.

"Now I want to do even more of that this year.

“The contract (at Luton) gives me more peace of mind knowing I can go out on loan and focus on myself and help Bradford get into the next league where they should be.”

 

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