Bradford City have announced the signing of former Hull City and Sunderland midfielder Corry Evans on a short-term deal.
The 34-year-old Northern Ireland international has joined the Bantams as a free agent, filling a critical gap in their midfield caused by recent injuries. Antoni Sracevic and loanee Joe Evans are both sidelined, and with Alex Pattison also expected to miss the next few weeks due to a muscle injury, the League Two club was forced to bolster their squad depth.
Evans, who was a free agent after leaving Sunderland at the end of last season, will remain at Valley Parade until January. His arrival marks Bradford City’s second dip into the free agent market in a matter of days, following the signing of experienced defender Paul Huntington.
Speaking about the addition of Evans, a club spokesperson said, “Corry’s experience in the midfield is something we will benefit from, especially given the injuries we’ve suffered in recent weeks. We are delighted to have him on board and hope his presence can help stabilise the team during this tough period.”
Evans last played professional football in June 2023, during Northern Ireland’s international fixture against Andorra. His most recent club experience came with Sunderland, where he captained the side until a serious knee injury – an anterior cruciate ligament tear – ended his 2022/23 campaign prematurely. Despite this setback, Evans has now fully recovered and looks forward to helping Bradford City as they push for promotion from League Two.
Who Is Bradford City New Boy, Corry Evans?
Corry Evans is a seasoned Northern Ireland international midfielder, who began his career at Manchester United’s academy, much like his brother Jonny Evans, who currently plays for the Red Devils. Despite never making a senior appearance for United, Corry gained valuable experience during a loan spell at Hull City in 2011. His performances impressed the Tigers enough to make the move permanent, and Evans spent two seasons with the club, helping them achieve promotion to the Premier League in 2013.
After leaving Hull, Evans joined Blackburn Rovers, where he played a significant role over eight seasons, amassing more than 200 appearances. During his time at Blackburn, he formed a formidable midfield partnership with current Bradford City captain Richie Smallwood. His reliability and consistency made him a fan favourite at Ewood Park.
In 2021, Evans made the switch to Sunderland, where he quickly established himself as a key player, eventually earning the captain’s armband. Unfortunately, his tenure at Sunderland was marred by injury, particularly the ACL tear in January 2023 that sidelined him for much of the year. Despite his injury setbacks, Evans’ leadership and experience have been widely recognised, particularly at the international level, where he has earned 72 caps for Northern Ireland.
Writer’s View
Corry Evans’ move to Bradford City is a shrewd piece of business for the Bantams, especially given the current injury crisis in midfield. With Antoni Sracevic, Joe Evans, and Alex Pattison all out, Bradford were in desperate need of experience and leadership, and Evans fits that profile perfectly. His familiarity with Bantams captain Richie Smallwood from their time together at Blackburn is an added bonus, as it could help him slot into the team seamlessly. Though the deal is short-term, Evans has the potential to make a big impact if he can stay fit and bring some much-needed stability to the squad.
One concern, however, is whether Evans can stay injury-free. After suffering a serious ACL injury earlier this year, it remains to be seen how well he can cope with the physical demands of League Two football. Bradford are taking a calculated risk with this signing, but given their current lack of options in midfield, it’s a risk worth taking. If Evans can recapture even a fraction of his previous form, he could prove to be a valuable asset for the club during this crucial phase of the season.
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