Bradford City have extended the trial of experienced free-agent midfielder Sam Clucas, with manager Graham Alexander confirming he wants a longer look at the 35-year-old before deciding whether to pursue a signing.

What Alexander said

Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Alexander was measured but clearly interested. "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," the Bradford boss said.

"We're not going to shut down any avenue in the recruitment market to try to find the right player. Sam has been training with us just for a couple of days and we'll extend that for a little bit longer because, especially with a game, the training programme has been a little bit fragmented so we'll see how he does."

No contract has been offered at this stage, and the club have stopped well short of confirming any deal. This remains a trial, and Alexander's comments suggest Bradford are being cautious and methodical in their assessment.

Who is Sam Clucas?

Clucas arrives at Valley Parade with a substantial background in the professional game. The midfielder made 66 top-flight appearances during spells with Swansea City and Hull City, giving him a level of experience that is unusual at third-tier level.

Most recently, Clucas spent last season with Shrewsbury Town, where he made 40 appearances in all competitions and finished as the club's leading assist provider. He signed a two-year deal at Shrewsbury in the summer of 2024, but according to BBC Sport, he chose to move on after being informed he was no longer part of manager Gavin Cowan's plans for this season. That left him available as a free agent, with no transfer fee required.

What it could mean for Bradford

Bradford are understood to be looking to strengthen their midfield options as they build their League One squad under Alexander. Clucas, if signed, would bring top-flight pedigree, creativity and experience of playing through a heavy fixture schedule. His assist record at Shrewsbury suggests he can still contribute meaningfully at this level and beyond.

The fragmented nature of pre-season training, which Alexander referenced, means the Bantams want to see Clucas in a more complete week of work, ideally including a run-out in a match environment, before committing. That is a sensible approach for a club assessing a player who has not featured in League One before.

Whether a deal materialises remains to be seen. Alexander has spoken previously about Bradford wanting the right profile of player rather than simply adding bodies, and Clucas would represent a low-risk, potentially high-reward addition if the extended trial goes well.

Supporters will be watching closely over the coming days to see whether this development moves from extended trial to confirmed signing.

Frequently asked

Who is Sam Clucas?
Sam Clucas is a 35-year-old free-agent midfielder with Premier League experience, having made 66 top-flight appearances for Swansea City and Hull City. He spent last season at League Two Shrewsbury Town before being released this summer.
Has Bradford City signed Sam Clucas?
Not yet. As of the latest reports, Clucas is on an extended trial at Bradford City. Manager Graham Alexander has confirmed he wants to assess him further before any decision is made on a permanent signing.
Why did Sam Clucas leave Shrewsbury Town?
According to BBC Sport, Clucas chose to leave Shrewsbury after being informed he was not part of manager Gavin Cowan's plans for this season, despite having signed a two-year deal there last summer.