Video summary
O'Keeffe has officially joined Bradford City on a two-year deal, expressing his immense delight at securing the move immediately upon hearing about the opportunity. He describes the club as a significant entity with ambitious future plans that align perfectly with his own career aspirations, viewing this transfer as a massive step forward in his professional journey. The decision to sign was straightforward and positive, reinforced by enthusiastic encouragement from current squad members who highlighted the brilliance of the club's environment, staff, and overall atmosphere.
A key factor in O'Keeffe's excitement is the strong sense of unity and connection within the team, which he considers essential for achieving collective success. Having already spoken with several players and visited the training ground, he feels comfortable knowing six or seven teammates immediately, which will facilitate a smooth transition into the squad. His return to the club has been particularly emotional, as he recalls playing there previously as an opposition player where the large crowds were often intimidating; now, as a home player, he is eager to experience the support from the 20,000 fans at M Bank Valley Parade firsthand.
The conversation with the manager further solidified his decision, as the club's style of play was described as suiting him perfectly and matching his own identity down to the ground. O'Keeffe emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision and direction from leadership, noting that the team's identity was communicated clearly and resonated immediately with him. With plenty of League One experience under his belt, he believes he can contribute significantly to an already great group, helping them work toward promotion while embracing the chance to thrive in front of big crowds.
Although the signing process took until deadline day, O'Keeffe views the wait as a positive sign that good things come to those who wait, leaving him even hungrier to represent the club. He plans to attend tonight's match to soak in the unique atmosphere from the stands before soon taking his place on the pitch. This transition marks the beginning of a new chapter where he looks forward to getting going and making an impact for Bradford City, fulfilling his dream of playing as a home player in front of such a passionate fanbase.
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Corey, welcome to Bradford City.
Two-year deal. How pleased are you to be
here?
>> Yeah, I'm delighted. As soon as I heard
about this opportunity, I said to my
agent, "Let's get it done straight
away."
>> What was it about the project here that
made you so excited to sign?
>> Just how much of a big club it is, um,
and where they're looking to go on in
the future is somewhere where I want to
be as well, and it's just a massive, um,
step for me, and I'm really looking
forward to it.
>> I guess you know quite a few of the lads
already, but did they have to sell the
club to you or was it an easy decision?
>> No, it was an easy decision. I, uh,
spoke to a couple of the lads, and
straight away I knew what I wanted to do
anyway, but they said straight away,
"Just get yourself here. Like, it's
brilliant here. The lads, the staff,
everything about it." And, um, it's
really looking good this year, so I'm
really looking forward to it.
>> How important is that relationship
between the staff, the players, and that
overall connection in the changing room?
>> Yeah, it's massive. I think, um,
when everyone's tight-knit, everyone's
on the same page, then you can achieve
stuff together, and that's definitely a
big part of why I've came as well.
>> And I guess knowing as many of the
players that you do will make it even
easier just to settle in.
>> Yeah, I have, like I said, I spoke to a
couple of the lads. I've seen a couple
of lads at the training ground, um, this
morning, and
it's just, I know six or seven lads
straight away, so it'll be easy to
settle in. I'm looking forward to meet
the other lads as well.
>> You got a feel for the place already,
been at the training ground today, come
to the stadium. What's it been like
seeing this place again?
>> Yeah, it was brilliant. Um, obviously I
done all my medical checks and
everything at the training ground, and
then this afternoon when I've came in
and seen the stadium, it's I'm really
excited to get going now. It's It feels
real. Coming and looking at the massive
stadium, it feels really good.
>> And how much are you looking forward to
getting in front of 20,000 supporters
here at the M Bank Valley Parade?
>> Yeah, I've, uh, played here a few times,
and I've always looked around and
thought, like, I I love it here, like,
the way the fans are and everything. And
now, me being a Bradford player, I'm
really excited to get out there.
>> How special is that sort of support to
have as a footballer?
>> It's massive. It's massive, like, it's
always been very intimidating when we
come here,
um, as an opposition player. And like I
say, now I'm going to be here as a home
player and I'm really excited.
>> I guess that's the sort of environment
you see yourself thriving in.
>> Yeah, definitely. As like as a
footballer you want to play in front of
big crowds and you want to do the best
you can in front of as many fans as you
can and this is a great platform to go
and show that.
>> What's the initial conversation been
like with the manager obviously a full
back himself?
>> Yeah, it was good. I've had a
conversation with him and he was telling
me how
Bradford's style of play and it suits me
down to the ground and
yeah, I'm really looking forward to it
from what he said. We've got a real
chance this year and I'm just looking
forward to get going.
>> How important is such a clear vision
like that?
>> Yeah, it is. It's um
straight away the identity was told to
me straight away and it was just in
black and white for me there and then
and as soon as he was telling me about
it matched me perfectly.
>> There's a plenty of League One
experience under your belt already. How
much do you feel you can add to the
changing room here?
>> Yeah, I think I can add a lot.
It's a great group already and me adding
to this really think I can help the
group out and ultimately get promotion.
>> Unfortunately it's taken till deadline
day to get it done but I guess that just
makes you even hungrier to get out there
and represent Bradford City.
>> Yeah, exactly. It took just over a week
and a half I think but like everything
all good things come to those who wait
and I'm just delighted to get it done.
>> So you'll be here tonight watching the
game. How much you looking forward to
soaking in that atmosphere as a Bradford
City player even if you are in the
stands?
>> Yeah, I'm really excited. I'll I'll
obviously get this sorted now and then
watch the game. I'm just excited to take
it all in and then hopefully soon I'll
be out there.