City's efforts to sign former Brentford midfielder Stephen Hunt have been cruelly dashed at the last minute.

The 23-year-old Irish under-21 international was flown to Leeds-Bradford Airport yesterday from Cork but on landing received a call from Reading boss Steve Coppell, who asked the player to link up with him again at the Madejski Stadium - having previously been his manager at Brentford and Crystal Palace.

Hunt still agreed to be taken to his Bradford medical, which he passed with flying colours. But afterwards he admitted he wanted to sign for Coppell and was taken back to the airport.

City boss Colin Todd said: "I am bitterly disappointed after all the hard work Julian Rhodes and myself have done in an attempt to get him to sign for Bradford City. We had agreed terms and he agreed to sign and has now gone back on his word. That is the problem with some players nowadays.

"He flew in from Ireland and even went for his medical before deciding to go elsewhere.

"Even his agent advised him to come to Bradford as it would have been the right choice for the lad but in addition to going back on his word to us, he is going against advice from his agent.

"The agent has conducted himself in a professional manner which is more than can be said by other parties. Reading went direct to the player knowing that he had agreed to a move here and no contact was made to the agent."

Todd added: "It's back to the drawing board now. We might have to pursue someone from the Premiership for a year - that shows the calibre of people we are trying to bring in."

Hunt said: "I know I will leave a lot of people disappointed. I came over fully intending to sign for City but as soon as I stepped off the plane I received a call from Reading. I have known Steve Coppell from when I was at Crystal Palace and that is what pursuaded me. I am truly sorry but I have to go where my heart takes me."

Hunt, who has played more than 150 games for Brentford, was released by the club at the end of last season despite helping them get into the League One play-offs.

Brentford were worried about injury problems the left-sided player had sustained during the season and advised him to find another club.

Todd had turned to Hunt after failing to nail down former Celtic wide man Bobby Petta.