Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

DALEY

Jamaica international Omar Daley will officially join the ranks of English League one outfit Bradford City following the signing of an 18-month contract from United States first division team Charleston Battery.

The player, who was granted a work permit by the British Home Office last week, is expected to join the mid-table team at their West Yorkshire base by as early as next week. He will link up with national teammates Donovan Ricketts and winger Jermaine Johnson, both of whom have already had a big impact at Valley Parade.

The pair of Ricketts and Johnson signed two-year contracts in November and are firm fan favourites. Daley has been tipped to do the same by Bradford boss Colin Todd, who had nothing but high praises for the 25-year-old.

"It is another good coup for us because he is a very talented player and I think we've got another winner on our hands," Todd told the Telegraph & Argus.

"You look at how J.J. (Jermaine Johnson) has excited everyone at this football club this season and this boy is going to do the same," the manager went on to state.

Exceptional talent

"I've known Omar for some time and he's an exceptional talent," Todd explained. "He was only a kid then [when I first saw him], about 17, so he didn't meet the international criteria. But he's always been on the shopping list and is one I never forgot.

"It's taken a long time to get him and we've been working on the deal since October, but I know he will be worth it," added Todd.

After fairly disappointing stints with Reading and Preston, Daley, who was back home with local premier club Portmore United before joining Charleston Battery, now looks forward to the challenge of returning to the English League.

"I've been there before and I know what they expect always, an 'A' game. Every day you have to be at your best," Daley told Bradford City media.

"Now I'm much older and I've learned and I have to just look forward to the opportunity and grasp it with both hands," he said.