Jake Beesley Gives Bradford City First Summer Signing
jake beesley is Bradford City’s first summer addition, arriving from Burton for an undisclosed fee once the transfer window opens later this month. The 29-year-old brings a record of 130 appearances in the third tier and 77 career goals into Graham Alexander’s squad.
Beesley’s Burton output
Beesley’s final Burton numbers show why Bradford pushed through the deal. He scored 13 goals and added seven assists in 45 League One outings, and he was named vice captain at the club.
That return also came with a direct reminder of what he can do against Bradford. He scored at Valley Parade last season in Burton’s 2-1 win, part of a spell that kept him on Bradford’s radar after a January bid was rejected.
Alexander’s summer start
Alexander has been tracking him since the summer of 2023, when Bradford first began monitoring his situation while Mark Hughes was still in charge. Beesley also spent a brief spell at Salford under Alexander, scoring twice in eight appearances after they came up from the National League.
“We are delighted to begin our summer business with the signing of Jake,” Alexander said. He added that Beesley is “at a great age, with good experience and still plenty of time to get better,” and called him “a constant threat in the front line with his athleticism and willingness to go where goals are scored.”
Beesley on Valley Parade
Beesley said the move had been building for some time. “I am absolutely thrilled to be here,” he said, before adding, “It has been in the pipeline for a few transfer windows, but the timing was not right.”
“Now the timing is great, and I am delighted to get it done,” he said. He also pointed to the size of the club and the support at Valley Parade, saying, “As a player at this level, everyone knows what a big club this is. You raise your game when you play against Bradford City, so I can only imagine what it will be like when you have the supporters roaring behind you every game.”
For Bradford, the move gives Alexander an experienced striker before the market fully opens, and it ends a pursuit that stretched back to 2023. For Beesley, it is a step into a squad that has wanted him for two winters and a summer.
