Former Carlisle United captain Paul Huntington has signed for their League Two rivals Bradford City.

The veteran Cumbrian defender has linked up with the Bantams on a short-term deal.

Huntington, who turned 37 last month, has been drafted in by Bradford boss Graham Alexander after a number of defenders were sidelined at Valley Parade.

It sees the centre-half back in the game four months after being released by Carlisle at the end of last season.

Huntington, who captained Carlisle to League Two play-off glory in 2023, could feature for Bradford in their fourth-tier trip to Morecambe tonight.

The vastly-experienced player has been biding his time before making his next move after he was let go by home-city club Carlisle.

The former Preston North End favourite spent some time training at the Professional Footballers’ Association pre-season camp during the summer.

More recently he has been training with Bradford, who have now brought him into their squad.

Huntington pictured celebrating the winner for Carlisle against Bradford on Boxing Day 2022Huntington pictured celebrating the winner for Carlisle against Bradford on Boxing Day 2022 (Image: Barbara Abbott)

If Huntington earns a longer stay then he could be in line to face Carlisle with his new club in the new year.

The Bantams are due to visit Brunton Park in League Two on Saturday, January 18.

He joins a Bradford side who sit 13th in the table after eight games, one of their three victories coming against Carlisle with a 2-1 win last month.

His new team-mates include the former United striker Andy Cook.

Huntington spent most of the 2022/23 season and all of 2023/24 with Carlisle after joining them early in the former campaign under Paul Simpson.

He was an influential figure in their rise to promotion but injuries and selection decisions meant he did not figure as regularly last term as United slid to League One relegation.

The Carlisle-born player made 65 appearances in his two United seasons, scoring three goals – one of which was against Bradford on Boxing Day 2022.

He went on to play in both play-off semi-final games against the Bantams that season as the Blues won through to the Wembley final, where Huntington skippered Simpson’s side to a penalty shoot-out victory against Stockport County.

Speaking to the News & Star after his release by Carlisle in May, Huntington said he was keen to prolong his career rather than make the move into coaching at the moment.

“I still feel able. I don’t feel, in training, like I’m a hindrance,” he said. “I still feel as though I can play at the level, whether it's in Scotland, in League One, in League Two...

“It would have to be right in a few ways, really – what the opportunity looks like in terms of the club, and location.”

Having now sealed his next move, on a deal until January, the defender said: “Obviously I am very pleased to be here. It’s what I’ve been working towards over the summer. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity and I’m grateful for it.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity and am looking forward to getting started."

Bantams boss Alexander added: “We’re glad to bring Paul in at this time. He’s been training with us for a little while and we’re sure his experience, knowledge and abilities will help us. We look forward to working with him."