Bradford City announced their first signing of the summer earlier this week with the capture of midfielder Antoni Sarcevic from Stockport County.
The Bantams have secured his services on a two-year deal, following the 32-year-old’s release from the Edgeley Park club. This has brought to an end to his three-year stay in Greater Manchester, despite appearing 33 times for the League Two champions during this campaign.
The experienced midfielder started at Manchester City as a youngster but didn’t make the cut and has since turned out for clubs such as Fleetwood Town, Plymouth Argyle and Shrewsbury Town.
His versatility has seen him appear in a range of positions across the midfield, whilst also operating as a striker at times during his career. This could see him provide extra quality both defensively and offensively for City.
Here we take a look at three key attributes Sarcevic could bring to Valley Parade:
Experience
The midfielder has achieved at least five promotions at his previous clubs, including with County this season as they went up as champions from League Two, adding to the promotion from the National League the previous season. Most of his appearances, however, have come in the colours of Fleetwood Town where he stayed for three seasons from 2013 to 2016 making over 100 appearances.
He has also achieved six other promotions, four of which were from the fourth tier, including with Bolton Wanderers and Plymouth, and has appeared for the England C team during his bright and illustrious career.
With the experience of Richie Smallwood, Jamie Walker and now Sarcevic, who are all in their 30’s, Bradford are building a very tough midfield for the opposition to face next season.
Form And Goals
In 33 appearances, the ex-Manchester City youngster scored eight times for County this season, gaining seven assists. He also hit the net 20 times for Fleetwood and the same for Plymouth, with a further 11 coming for Bolton Wanderers.
He has never been shy of scoring and now Bradford will have somebody they hope will take the pressure off top scorer Andy Cook, who scored many of the Bantams goals this season.
A Playmaker
Bradford will be getting themselves a playmaker who isn’t afraid of a pass, as proven by his 77% pass rate according to Sofascore. That stat improves with passing in his own half, increasing to 84%.
Whilst the other midfielders will scrap for the ball, Sarcevic will then hope to build an attack for the likes of Cook and the other forwards whilst also scoring some of his own.
The Yorkshire outfit had a 68% pass accuracy this season, so they will be hoping that is much higher with the acquisition of the Stockport midfielder ,who is surely one of the marquee signings of the summer at Valley Parade as business starts early.
Be the first to comment