CITY trialist Joe Cracknell has been handed a five-month deal which will keep him at Valley Parade until the turn of the year.

The promising young goalkeeper was released by Hull City at the end of the last campaign and has been on trial with the Bantams throughout pre-season.

The 21-year-old has featured in a number of City's friendlies and is seen as a potential player for the future.

Bantams boss Phil Parkinson remains on the look-out for a senior stopper to join the club ahead of the new term.

City's only established keeper is 32-year-old Ben Williams, while Jussi Jaaskelainen has been training with Parkinson's squad and played in Saturday's warm-up defeat at Burnley.

It remains to be seen if Jaaskelainen will sign a contract with City but Parkinson is delighted to have Cracknell on board.

Cracknell spent the second half of last season at Scarborough and Parkinson said: "Joe has impressed us over pre-season and he has earned himself this contract.

"Hopefully he can keep doing well and keeping improving and he can become a good prospect for us.

"We have been looking for a young goalkeeper for Lee Butler (goalkeeper coach) to really work with and help to develop. Joe certainly fits the bill.

"We have our under-21s competition this season and he will be figuring prominently in that."