English Club Bradford City Signs Kenyan Footballer Clarke Oduor

Bradford City Association Football Club (AFC), an English professional football club in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, on Tuesday, June 6 completed the signing of 23-year-old Kenyan international, Clarke Oduor.

According to a statement from the football club, which plays in the English Football League (EFL) Two, Oduor, who can operate as a winger, wing-back or full-back, arrived at the University of Bradford Stadium following his release from Barnsley, until the summer of 2026, a three-year deal.

Having graduated from Leeds United’s academy in 2017, the 23-year-old, who hails from Siaya County, moved to South Yorkshire in 2019, making a total of 57 appearances for the Tykes. 

Clarke Oduor posing for a photo at the Bradford City Stadium on June 6, 2023, after signing his contract. /BRADFORD CITY AFC

His goal against Brentford (currently in the Premier League) on the final day of the 2019/20 season secured Barnsley’s second-tier status for another year.

He turned out 14 times on loan for Hartlepool United last season, scoring in a 2-1 defeat at Swindon Town in October.

“I am excited. This is a huge club with a great fanbase, so I cannot wait to get going.

“I am here to hopefully help us get back up the leagues. It is a three-year contract, so I am just looking forward to kicking on here," he stated.

Oduor praised his experience playing English football and noted that he was able to learn more about League Two during his loan spell.

“I signed for Barnsley four years ago and have a decent level of experience. It has been good to go out on loan and find a little bit more out about the league, so I feel I am ready to enjoy my time here.

“My game is about excitement. I like to get on the ball a lot and make things happen, creating chances for myself and my teammates. That is what I am all about," he described his gameplay.

He expressed excitement at going to play for Bradford City, which finished sixth in the 2022/23 EFL League Two season.

“Hopefully, I can get the fans off their seats. It is a fresh start for me, something new. It feels good and I cannot wait to meet the lads and get going," he added.

Notably, Oduor's new manager, Mark Hughes, has managed Southampton, Stoke City and Manchester City and currently manages Bradford City.

“We are delighted to have secured the services of Clarke, as our first new signing of the summer. He is a versatile, dynamic player who will bring a lot of different attributes to our squad, having already amassed a great deal of experience at both club and international level at a young age.

“His time at Barnsley playing in both the Championship and League One, coupled with an impressive spell at Hartlepool last season, shows the threat he carries as well as his ability to play at a higher level. We are looking forward to having him meet up with the rest of the squad, and I hope you will join me in wishing him a warm welcome to Bradford City," Hughes stated.

The EFL League Two is the 3rd and lowest division of the English Football League (EFL) and the fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system.

Oduor began his professional football career at the Leeds Academy from 2010 to 2019 when he joined Barnsley, where he made 48 league appearances scoring one goal.

Last season, he played in League Two for Hartlepool, making 14 appearances and scoring one goal against Swindon.

The Siaya-born prospect featured once for the national team Harambee Stars in their 2-1 win over Zambia in an international friendly back in October 2020.

Image of Bradford City stadium in West Yorkshire, England. /BRADFORD CITY AFC