Bradford City have extended the trial of free agent midfielder Sam Clucas after the 35-year-old trained with the Bantams earlier this week. Manager Graham Alexander wants to take a further look at Clucas, who is a free agent after recently being released by League Two Shrewsbury Town. "He has trained with us for a couple of days. He's a player everybody knows about. We're just having a look at him," Alexander told reporters. "We're not going to shut down any avenue in the recruitment market to try to find the right player." Clucas signed a two-year deal with Shrewsbury last summer and was the club's leading assist provider last season but chose to move on after being informed he was not part of manager Gavin Cowan's plans for this season.
Where does Clucas fit in Alexander's midfield plans
The trial extension gives Alexander more time to assess Clucas's fitness and tactical awareness. Having made 66 top-flight appearances for Swansea City and Hull City, Clucas brings Premier League experience to the League Two setup. His departure from Shrewsbury Town last summer ended a spell where he was the club's leading assist provider, and Alexander will be looking for that creative spark in midfield.
What the move means for Shrewsbury's loss of a key creator
Shrewsbury Town lost Clucas after he was informed he was not part of Gavin Cowan's plans for the new season. The 35-year-old finished as the Shrewsbury leading assist provider last season, contributing significantly to the team's attacking output before his release. His exit leaves a creative void in midfield for a Shrewsbury side currently sitting 24th in League Two with 0 points from 2 games and a -4 goal difference.
How does Clucas's experience compare to Shrewsbury's current options
Clucas's Premier League background with Swansea City and Hull City contrasts with Shrewsbury's young midfield roster. The 35-year-old free agent offers veteran presence and playmaking ability that the Shrewsbury squad may lack, especially given the team's current league standing of 24th and 0 points from their opening fixtures.
What next for Clucas and Bradford City
With the trial now extended, Clucas will feature in upcoming training sessions as Alexander makes his final decision. The midfielder's future will depend on his performance levels and how well he adapts to the League Two tempo. Bradford City will assess whether Clucas's skill set addresses their midfield needs ahead of the next fixture.
On Tuesday, Shrewsbury's league standing sits at 24th in League Two, 0 points from 2 games played, with a -4 goal difference and recent form showing two losses. The team is 6 points behind leaders Barnet in the early season standings. Clucas's trial at Bradford comes as Shrewsbury looks to rebuild after losing their leading assist provider from last season.
