Bradford City, having earned promotion from League Two after five years of struggle, could consider signing experienced forward Tom Barkhuizen, who was released by Derby County when his contract expired.
The 31-year-old veteran winger may provide Graham Alexander with proven second- and third-tier quality, which could assist address the Bantams’ current offensive difficulties, with Andy Cook out due to a long-term injury and Jamie Walker no longer at BD8 after his contract expired.
Derby County confirmed their retained list on Friday morning, with Barkhuizen among the eight players that left Pride Park following the Rams’ successful Championship survival effort.
Despite finding game time difficult to come by this season, Barkhuizen’s prior League One stint with Derby makes him an appealing choice for a side in need of that added quality, Bradford.
Tom Barkhuizen may be the ideal signing for Graham Alexander’s Bradford City.
Barkhuizen, who made 22 appearances in all competitions for Derby this season, the most of which came off the bench, will leave Pride Park after three years.
During County’s promotion bid in the 2023/24 League One season under Paul Warne, Barkhuizen contributed 12 goals, scoring and assisting the same number.
While he was only a part-time player for Derby in 2024-25, he was a valuable addition to the squad, but Barkhuizen’s immediate future appears to be in League One, which is where Bradford come in.
The Bantams are in a bit of an attacking quandary as the summer transfer window approaches.
Andy Cook is still recovering from an ACL injury sustained at Barrow on New Year’s Day, although Barkhuizen isn’t a natural centre-forward despite playing there frequently at Preston North End, and the departure of attacking midfielder Jamie Walker has harmed the West Yorkshire club’s limited depth.
With proven experience moving up from the third division and being available for free, this is a huge opportunity for Bradford City to add some high-end EFL expertise to their roster.
| Tom Barkhuizen’s all-time League One Record, as per FotMob | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 78 |
| Goals | 10 |
| Assists | 11 |
Barkhuizen has been direct in his Championship appearances this season, frequently running at defenders as Derby looked for a way back into a game late.
2.56 dribbles per 90 minutes makes you wonder what it would be like if he got regular, consistent playing time, which he could have at City. Tom Barkhuizen still has worth, and Bradford City and Graham Alexander should take advantage.
Barkhuizen’s recent career at Derby and PNE has demonstrated that he is equally adept at playing on the right as a more direct winger as well as on the left, where he can cut in, create chances and take shots.
And, while Graham Alexander does not use out-and-out wingers, Barkhuizen could be effective in the dual number 10 role behind the lone centre-forward that the ex-Scotland manager prefers for the Bantams, but he can also play as a number nine if a two-striker system is used.
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