Bradford City manager Gary Bowyer has pulled off a transfer coup, after the Bantams signed Leeds United centre-back Paudie O'Connor on a three-year deal, as confirmed on the club website.

The move follows the 21-year-old spending the second half of last season on loan at the Northern Commercials Stadium, making nine appearances for the Bantams having joined the club in January on a half-season loan

So how big a boost is it for the Bantams that O'Connor has signed a long-term permanent deal?

We discuss........

George Brooks

"I think this is encouraging news for Bradford City.

"Some people may see it as a risk dropping down from the Championship to League Two, but I actually think this is a sensible option for O'Connor.

"O'Connor is a decent player and he did well while on loan at Blackpool and Bradford in League One last season.

"He's already got a fair amount of experience in League One, so he probably feels like he is ready to make an instant impact in League Two.

"Bradford City will be expected to challenge for promotion next season and O'Connor will feel that he can play an important role.

"If he'd of moved to a big club in League One, he may not have played every week, but he will feel that he's got a good chance of being an important player at Valley Parade next season.

Kealan Hughes

“It’s a real positive for the club to get a highly rated young player to drop down the divisions, and it is a sign of how well the club and manager Gary Bowyer are respected.

“Bradford fans seem to rate him very highly, and he was one of a few to come out of last season with any credit, which for a young player only on loan there is very creditable.

“Last season he also showed leadership qualities despite his age, leading some Bantams to wonder if he has been promised the captaincy. This is a chance for O’Connor to play regularly as a key player, and that should help his improvement drastically.”

Gary Hutchinson

“What a move this is for Bradford.

"It took them a long while to see how talented the boy is, but when Gary Bowyer came in and handed him the captaincy, he excelled.

“There is a danger he’ll struggle to impress in a 46 game season; it’s easy to have a run of nine decent games, but to carry that on throughout the campaign is challenging.

“He’s got the ability though and most importantly, he has the manager’s trust. Bowyer has signed him for a third time now and that will keep O’Connor motivated. He’s one of Bowyer’s players now and as Bradford mould into a new side, he’ll be one of the trusted lieutenants of the gaffer.

“I can see him rising in value this season, especially with a run of senior matches.”