In a recent interview with Bradford City boss Stuart McCall, it was revealed that the Scot only intends to welcome approximately five new players to Valley Parade.
However, that does not stop the rumour mill, as City are once again touted with yet another midfielder to shape up the middle of the park which currently has very few names available; seriously the only central midfielder at the club right now is Harry Pritchard, who mainly functions in the number 10 role or on the wing.
That being said, it is crucial McCall brings in a new array of midfielders to the club, and that may begin with either Luca de la Torre, Stefan Scougall, or even recently released Emmanuel Osadebe. The Irish 23 year old began his career at the heights of Dundalk and Tottenham Hotspur, but failed to ever make an appearance for either side before joining Gillingham as part of the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation College program, and actually received the Man of the Match award on his debut, defeating Sheffield United 4-0. It later was revealed that Osadebe was actually ineligible to play, and therefore Gillingham were fined up to 4k.
In 2015 the youngster was called up to the Republic of Ireland Under-21's for a friendly against Norway, but he could also represent Nigeria as that is where his parents are from. In the same season Osadebe achieved the Gills Goal of the Season award after a sensational solo goal against Bury FC, and after 42 appearances for the club he was released at the end of the 2016/17 season. The Irishman joined League Two side Cambridge United, but failed to ever really get going and was sent out on a loan stint to Newport County, which was terminated early after just three games for the Exiles. He was released at the end of the 2018/19 season from the Abbey Stadium and was snapped up by Macclesfield Town.
Despite signing a one year contract with the Silkmen, Osadebe departed the club on the 1st of February 2020 due to Macclesfield's ongoing financial troubles and inability to pay the wages of their players, but shone during his time at the club scoring 4 goals in 27 games and helping the Macc to hopefully stay up. He was once again signed straight away to League One side Southend United, but due to the Shrimper's transfer embargo he could not be registered and is back as a free agent.
In a recent interview with the Southend Echo, Osadebe revealed he did want to remain under Sol Campbell at Southend, but is unsure on his current future as he may be aware of City sniffing around at his ability and he may be keen to see which league Southend will be playing at next season.
Osadebe, who was really starting to find his feet at Town, would be an excellent addition to the squad, as a box-to-box midfielder who is still young, quick, strong and a real fighter, the midfielder could be key in McCall's plans for the future, perhaps even sat behind Scougall or de la Torre as the anchor of the midfield.
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