Player who left Bradford City finds new club after Oldham Athletic trial
09/17/2024 01:43 AM
Guiseley have signed Liam Ridehalgh following his exit from Bradford City, as announced by their official club website.
The Northern Premier League side have snapped up the former Tranmere Rovers defender on a free transfer.
Ridehalgh, 33, cut ties with Bradford City at the end of last season and his deal officially expired in late June. He has since been weighing up his options in the game and has been on trial at Oldham Athletic this past summer, as per The Oldham Times.
He has now joined Guiseley and has told their website: “After leaving City I spent my time training with Oldham and at the PFA camp. I have also done a lot of training on my own as I now contemplate being a part-time player for the first time.
“I stayed committed to playing football and I am excited that I have now signed somewhere where I will be looking forward to new and different challenges. I am hoping to bring my experience at higher levels to help Guiseley in their bid to gain promotion.”
He added: “I am also looking at maybe going to university to study physiotherapy, sports injuries are something I am interested in studying.”
New home for departed Bradford City man
Ridehalgh’s transition into non-league football will give him time to do other things on the side, such as potentially going to university.
Bradford City signed him back in 2021 and he spent the last two years with the Bantams in the fourth tier.
He made 97 appearances for the Yorkshire outfit in all competitions, chipping in with a single goal and seven assists.
The Halifax-born man rose up through the academy at Huddersfield Town and played 26 times for their first-team as a youngster, as well as having loan spells away at Swindon Town, Chesterfield and Rotherham United to get some experience under his belt.
Tranmere Rovers snapped him up in 2013 and he was a great servant to the Whites during his time in Birkenhead.
He went on to play 281 matches altogether and fired four goals from the back.
Ridehalgh helped the Merseyside club gain promotion from the National League and League Two during his time there.
New challenge
He will now be eager to help Guiseley go up to the National League North after dropping down a few leagues.
Ridehalgh left behind a Bradford City side this past summer who are hoping to have a successful year under the guidance of former Salford City and MK Dons manager Graham Alexander.
They lost 2-1 away at Walsall last time out and will be hoping to bounce back with a win against AFC Wimbledon this weekend. In the meantime, they face Mansfield Town in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy tonight.
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