The former Sunderland and Wigan Athletic man has returned to the EFL after stints in Saudi and Denmark
Max Power, a former Sunderland captain, has joined Bradford City on a two-year contract after leaving Danish Superliga club AGF.
The 31-year-old midfielder, who led Sunderland to Wembley Stadium success in the 2020-21 EFL Trophy, has joined League Two club Bradford as they aim to stay in League One next season after being promoted from the fourth tier under Graham Alexander in 2024-25.
Power, who was well-known among Sunderland fans for his leadership and hard ethic during the club’s stint in League One, offers valuable experience to the Bantams. Power, a three-time League One title winner with Wigan Athletic and most recently a promotion winner in Saudi Arabia with Al-Qadsiah, brings an excellent CV and 500 career games with him.
Power commented on the transfer, saying, “I am delighted to get the deal done so early in the summer and excited to get started.” I was paying careful attention to how the season ended and was as happy as everyone else when the goal was scored in the 96th minute! I couldn’t wait to arrive here.”
Power appeared 137 times for Sunderland between 2018 and 2021, scoring 12 goals and playing an important role in the club’s early but ultimately unsuccessful bid to return to the Championship. He left at the end of his contract with Lee Johnson before returning to Wigan and later travelling abroad. Power was pictured among 7,500 away fans at Ewood Park during Sunderland’s meeting against Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day of this year.
Bradford manager Graham Alexander said of the signing: “I am delighted to begin our summer recruitment by bringing Max to the club.” He provides extensive experience, including promotions, as well as established quality. After meeting him, it was evident that he was eager to come and play for us. We are all looking forward to working with him.
How Max Power played through pain during time at Sunderland
Last summer, Power disclosed that he had been playing with difficulty for a long time and had been receiving painkilling injections while at Sunderland. After leaving Saudi Arabia, Power wrote on social media in May: “Years of painkillers and injections to get through games had finally caught up with me, and I needed surgery on my groin and hernia.” As someone who had never been injured before, I undoubtedly hastened my recovery and encountered numerous obstacles along the road.
“In January, I made the difficult choice to curtail my season so that the club could bring in another foreign player, as the norm in this level is seven international players per squad. It wounded my heart, but I am proud of my decision to prioritize the squad and football club over my own interests. I have had to learn to lead in a different way than on the pitch, by aiding the team every day in training and in the dressing room.
“This break has allowed me to completely reset my body, and I now feel stronger and healthier than at any other point in my career. I’d like to thank everyone in the club and the owner, Aramco, for their assistance at this time. I have seen the greatest specialists in international football and undergone surgery from one of the best surgeons in the game.”
“The biggest thank you goes to my wife and children for their constant support. They’ve seen how hard I’ve worked and how much being unable to play has affected me. This time away from the squad has reminded me of how much I still like this game, which has provided me with a wonderful life to date. I can’t wait for pre-season to begin and I look forward to helping the club grow next season.”
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