ANOTHER summer of speculation and rumour has kicked off as clubs unveil their end-of-season retained lists.

News of which out-of-contract players are on the market stirs up the interest heading into another transfer window.

Here are a few of the more eye-catching names who are currently available from Leagues One and Two. Will the Bantams have any of these on their list?

PADDY MADDEN

He skippered Stockport to the League Two title but could not come to an agreement with the Hatters over a new deal.

Madden won’t be short of admirers and you suspect he might already have something lined up.

Graham Alexander knows him well from their days at Scunthorpe and Madden leaves Edgeley Park with a record of 65 goals in 157 Stockport appearances – including 22 in their successful season.

RYAN CROASDALE

Midfielder Croasdale is another player that Alexander worked with in the Preston academy.

The England C international won the FA Trophy with AFC Fylde before joining Stockport in 2020. He was a regular for the Hatters, playing 180 games in three seasons.

Croasdale is a hard-working central defensive midfielder with a good engine.

DAN KEMP

The perfect foil for Jake Young during their loan together at Swindon, the MK Dons attacking midfielder is likely to attract plenty of interest if he leaves in the summer.

Kemp enjoyed a prolific 2023 when he proved one of League Two’s most dangerous players, scoring 22 goals and providing 10 assists on loan with Hartlepool and Swindon.

Milton Keynes recalled him in January and he has netted three times in 21 appearances for Mike Williamson’s men.

CALLUM JOHNSON

Will David Sharpe use his Mansfield contacts to try to lure Johnson from the promoted Stags?

Johnson is a natural wing-back who can also play as a right centre half, making 22 appearances during Nigel Clough's side successful season.

 

 

AARON HAYDEN

The centre half scored 12 goals to help Wrexham return to the EFL from the National League a year ago.

But his contribution in their second consecutive promotion was limited by injury which restricted him to just 17 appearances and scoring once.

BEN TOZER

A vastly-experienced centre half who City know very well for his booming long throw-in.

The 34-year-old was up against the Bantams at Wembley for Northampton in the 2013 play-off final.

He led Cheltenham to the League Two title in 2021 before joining Wrexham where he was named in the National League team of the season.

Tozer played 133 games in three years in north Wales.

RONAN CURTIS

The former Republic of Ireland winger is considering a new deal from Wimbledon after a highly-successful return from long-term injury.

Known for his direct approach, Curtis made his name at Portsmouth where he scored 57 goals in over 200 appearances during a six-year stay.

But he missed almost 12 months with a serious knee ligament injury which saw him released by the League One club.

Wimbledon offered Curtis a short-term deal in January to prove his fitness and he played 17 times, scoring five goals.

BEN WHITFIELD

The Bingley-born attacking midfielder spent 10 years in the Bantams academy before being released at 16, going on to play locally for Silsden and Guiseley.

Whitfield, who has been frequently linked with a return to his hometown club ever since, enjoyed another strong campaign for Barrow, scoring 11 goals as they just missed out on the play-offs.

The Bluebirds have offered the 28-year-old a new contract but he may be tempted to look elsewhere.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Jack Payne scores a stunner against City for MK DonsJack Payne scores a stunner against City for MK Dons (Image: Thomas Gadd)

JOHN MARQUIS

The well-travelled striker is on the market again after being released by Bristol Rovers.

Marquis has played for 11 different clubs in a career that began in 2009 – most successfully at Doncaster where he scored 67 goals in three years.

He has not played in League Two since 2017 when his 26 goals spearheaded Rovers to promotion.

TOMAS HOLY

The giant Czech keeper has been linked with City in the past.

Towering at 6ft 9in, Holy kept 19 clean sheets in Carlisle’s promotion from League Two in 2022/2023 – including two against the Bantams.

But he lost his place midway through last season, not playing a single game after Christmas.

Harry Lewis took the number one slot following his window move from Valley Parade with youngster Gabriel Breeze preferred as his back-up.

JACK PAYNE

The former Bantams loanee is currently in play-off combat with MK Dons but will be up for grabs after being released by Charlton.

Midfielder Payne has scored seven goals for Milton Keynes – and City know all about his set-piece prowess after his long-range free-kick against them in October.

Payne played 47 times in City’s relegation from League One in 2019 and scored nine.

HAKEEB ADELAKUN

Another play-off participant who has been in red-hot form for Doncaster.

It’s no coincidence that their surge up League Two into the top seven followed the arrival of the Lincoln winger in January.

Adelakun, who played for Alexander at Scunthorpe, has been let go by the Imps – but you would anticipate Grant McCann has already put an offer on the table.

JOE RAFFERTY

Anyone looking for a right back will no doubt be keeping tabs on League One title winner Rafferty.

The former Rochdale and Preston defender is a “steady Eddie” who played 42 times in Portsmouth’s successful League One campaign.

MAX STRYJEK

The goalkeeper who ruined City’s Wembley dream is up for grabs.

Stryjek delivered a stunning display between the sticks at Valley Parade in Wycombe’s smash-and-grab win in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy semi-final.

The Polish stopper pulled off a string of saves to deny the Bantams in arguably their best performance of the season.

Stryjek is currently at Crewe on an emergency loan signing and involved in their play-off campaign.

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