He is yet to kick a ball in anger for Bradford City but the name Willy Topp has been on everybody's lips.

It is nearly three months since the Chilean striker first introduced himself at Valley Parade.

And still we wait with growing impatience to see what all the fuss is about.

Having haggled the compensation fee with Universidad de Catolica, City are now hanging on international clearance.

That looked to be in the bag just before midday on Friday. Two hours later, it was snatched away after the Football League raised a query with the wording of the contract.

City have had to pick their steps through a minefield of red tape - and it seems they are not out of it yet.

The delays have not been through the player's own making; he has not placed the numerous hurdles in the way of City completing the signature of their first paid-for acquisition since Andy Tod in 2001.

The club have fumed over the hold-ups; Stuart McCall's hands remained tied before he is clear to unleash his man in action and the supporters wonder whether they will ever actually see him put on the claret and amber.

But what about the figure at the centre of this on-going saga? How is he coping in a situation where he reports for training every day, knowing there is no game at the end of the week?

Giving his first interview - and insisting on giving it in English - Topp comes across as a chirpy character who has remained remarkably calm as the red-tape battle swirls around him.

"There have been lots of problems which has made it difficult," he admits. "One moment I thought I wouldn't be signing; then I spoke again to the manager two days later and it was okay again.

"But I know I must get international clearance first before I can play and we're just waiting for that to happen.

"I keep hoping it will be this day or the next because I want to be on the pitch with my team. I have watched every game here at Bradford and it is very frustrating for me when I train all the time but cannot play.

"I sit there and think that maybe I might have got that goal or that pass. You want to be out there, not in the seat watching."

When Topp has been out there, he has caught the eye. A goal on his debut in a reserve game with Coventry confirmed that he had that little spark that could give McCall's attacking options something different.

References from the manager to Benito Carbone may be slightly ambitious but he is clearly viewed as an impact player capable of producing that bit of magic to unlock defences.

Topp, who holds a German passport through his grandfather, is aware of the expectations among the fans. The longer the wait drags on, the more his reputation will be built up.

That may sound unfair on the 21-year-old but he is relaxed with the attention.

"The people want me to sign autographs all the time and I am very happy to do that. Nobody has seen me play football apart from with the reserves but they all want me to do well.

"Do I feel the pressure? No. I know I can play well when I get the chance and I am not worried about any pressure on the pitch.

"Because I have been here so long, I feel like this is my club. I watch the game and see my team-mates and I feel that they are all my friends.

"The people here are very helpful to me, especially the gaffer. Sometimes in Chile, you never speak the name of the coach but here he is a very good friend of the players - you like to speak to him and he can be very funny.

"I think my English is getting better. I do not have lessons but just talk to people and use the Spanish and English dictionary.

"David (Baldwin, City's sales and marketing manager) has helped me a lot and I try to talk English with everyone. I am getting more confident but I need to know more words.

"But it is no problem when I am on the pitch. It is different there, as long as you can say things like ball here' then it is okay."

Like every youngster growing up in Chile, Topp is a huge fan of the English and Spanish game. He first tried his luck in England three years ago with a trial at Manchester City.

The Premiership club were impressed with the teenager but a possible deal fell down over the fee - a familiar scenario given the machinations of City's involvement in recent weeks.

At the time, Topp had represented his country at under-17 and under-20 level. He has since been called up once for the senior side, sitting on the bench for an international against Peru.

Playing in England will raise his profile and boost his chances of making the next step.

Topp dreams of playing for his boyhood team Manchester United alongside his favourite player, Cristiano Ronaldo - though right now he just wants to show City what he can do.

"Maybe some day I can play for Bradford in League One or the Championship. In Chile, the television only shows matches in the Premier League but one day perhaps they can watch me.

"Universidad, my club there, are like the Manchester United of Chile. They are very big.

"They get 13,000 people to watch; the same as here. Bradford is also a very big club and it could be in the Championship - that's what I hope to do here."

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