FORMER Colchester United goalkeeper Sam Walker has joined League Two side Bradford City - and could face the U's this weekend.

The 32-year-old, who made more than 200 appearances for the U's, has joined the Bantams on an 18-month deal, after his short-term deal at League One side Charlton Athletic came to an end.

Walker, who has been signed as a replacement for Harry Lewis who has joined Carlisle United, could make his Bradford debut in their League Two clash at former club Colchester, this weekend.

READ MORE: Cowleys will get the chance to bolster Colchester United squad

Walker told the Bradford website: “Firstly, it is an honour to be here at a football club of this magnitude.

"It is a privilege to be able to pull on the shirt and I am here to help the team and the club get back to where it belongs.

“I have a really good relationship with Colin Doyle from my time at Kilmarnock. I really enjoyed working with him and was really interested in coming to a club like this.

 

“A vast amount of my experience is in League One and Two, with a bit of time in Scotland. I am quite a calm figure in goal, so will be hoping to bring that to the backline.

“From what I have been told, we have a really good group here, so I am just looking forward to getting going and helping the club move towards the play-offs and beyond.

“I am hugely excited and honoured to be playing at Valley Parade. I cannot wait to see everyone out there and am looking forward to getting us back to where we belong.”

READ MORE: Danny Cowley: 'really good foundations' in place at Colchester

Walker became a firm favourite with Colchester fans, during his five-and-a-half years at the club.

The 6ft 6in shot-stopper initially joined the U's on loan from Premier League giants Chelsea in January, 2013.

Walker joined the club on a permanent basis in January 2014, after two loan spells.

 

He battled back superbly from a serious knee injury sustained in Colchester’s EFL Cup tie against Reading in August 2015, which kept him out for nearly a year.

Walker has since played for Reading and spent time on loan at both Blackpool and AFC Wimbledon, in League One before joining Kilmarnock in the summer of 2021.

Bradford's goalkeeping coach Colin Doyle told the club's website: “I would like to welcome Sam to the group, and am looking forward to working with him again.

“I have worked with him before in Scotland, and he did really well there at Kilmarnock.

“He is a great goalkeeper and a really good professional, who will bring bags of experience to the group.”