Earlier today, Alexander, a new City player, requested a move and discussed a competitor from Teesside.
As one Teessider departs the Bantams, another arrives, with Hartlepool’s Harry Chapman leaving at the conclusion of the season and Yarm’s Callum Johnson joining.
That means he joins Redcar locals Brad Halliday and Richie Smallwood, as well as Darlington-born Alex Pattison, in the team, all of whom came through Middlesbrough’s academy as young players.
However, the right-back maintains that vehicle sharing among Boro graduates from the North East are a thing of the past, disclosing that new manager Graham Alexander has urged his players to reside close to the club.
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Johnson, who was released by promoted League Two club Mansfield last month, stated: “Brad is now in Wetherby, and I will be relocating near to the area as well.
“I talked to the manager about it, and he wants us to move near by since it’s useful.
“It’s not beneficial for us to constantly drive to and from the Northeast for training.
“When we first spoke, I told Graham that I’d be relocating close to the region and maybe returning to the North-East on weekends following games.
“I was talking to Patto and he’s said he’s living closer by this season too.”
Johnson was asked if the Bantams’ Teesside connection, with Andy Cook and Alex Gilliead only a short distance away, had helped him settle into his new club.
He stated, “I know a number of the kids from the Boro region, and a couple of them I worked with at the club’s academy.
“It’s always wonderful to have that, but I don’t know all of the men there.
“It’ll be good to meet them, as well as the other lads at Bradford.”
Not only do Halliday and Johnson share a Teesside connection, but they are both generally right backs.
Johnson joined Fleetwood on loan three years ago when Halliday suffered a serious knee injury, and he went on to play 35 League One appearances for the Cod Army in the 2021/22 season.
Halliday rebounded brilliantly from the setback, and was City’s Player of the Season last season, so
