Walker on putting down roots at Bradford City with family

Walker is preparing to move into his new house in Shipley next month – and girlfriend Courtney and their two children will be there to join him.

Having become the first of the 14 summer signings, the Scot is excited to be putting down permanent roots on as well as off the pitch.

August 8 is the big date ringed in the calendar when he will hopefully swap his current flat for a proper family base.

Walker said: “People look at footballers and think, ‘they’re just playing football and get a good wage etc’, but it’s tough to be away from the kids. I’ve missed them and my partner a lot.

“As she said, it will be good to get them down permanently and have a home booked for the next couple of years – and hopefully a successful couple of years as well.

“She likes England. She liked it before when we were living in Wigan so I think she’s looking forward to it.

“I also think she just likes being away from the carnage of being at home where everyone knows me!”

Every City fan has quickly come to appreciate Walker’s impact at Valley Parade after a half-season loan that saw him net four goals in 19 appearances.

Plenty more will be expected in the number 10 role that he looks well suited for in Mark Hughes’ new-look line-up.

And that success will mean even more for Walker if son Jace is there to witness it.

He added: “My little lad loves football, he likes to go and watch any games.

“I think he’s coming down with a few of my mates to the Sunderland friendly next week because it will be the school holidays. Hearts play Preston on the Wednesday so they are going to go to that on the way back.

“He’ll be looking forward to coming next year. It’s harder to get to away games because we’ve got the baby but obviously local ones like Rochdale, he’ll probably go to them as well.

“The club have sorted his school out. Ryan (Sparks) has been brilliant with that stuff and has helped me a lot in my time here, I can’t thank him enough.”

It seems a long time ago since Walker was unveiled at the club’s end-of-season awards dinner as the first recruit of the Hughes era. Could he have pictured so many new faces following him in the next two months?

“Clubs plan to get their business done early every pre-season but players will talk to other clubs and stuff like that,” he added.

“But it’s great for us that we’ve got so many in. A lot of the signings were obviously there on the first day of pre-season and that gives us a great chance to work on what we want to do and build relationships.

“Most people would have known that a decent rebuild needed to happen after last season. When summer came, a lot left the club but getting so much business done early gives the manager a better chance to focus on how we’re going to play.”

Bringing in the likes of former Hull captain Richie Smallwood has raised some eyebrows. Walker has welcomed the injection of quality – and the big characters needed for a promotion push.

He said: “The fans have maybe been a little bit surprised with the calibre of player they’ve got in. But it shows how big the football club is.

“There’s a big expectation with the players we’ve signed but it’s not going to be easy.

“As you’ve seen many times, people come to Valley Parade and it’s their biggest game of the season, their cup final, and we need to be up for it.

“We’ve signed players who have got that experience mentally, people who have won promotion and can deal with that expectation of being at a big club and playing in front of big crowds.

“When I came last year, you could feel the changing room was maybe a bit divided with the people who were not playing.

“But everyone that has come in has gelled well with the group. There are a few big characters.

“I think the club have managed that well. They’ve brought in the right personnel that way and hopefully we can give it a really good go.”

Walker finished last season with a bang by scoring in each of the last three home games. Now he is excited to take that momentum into his first full City campaign.

“It was great not having to go to another club and start again.

“The fans took to me pretty well last season and feeling wanted by the manager and the staff was a big part in me staying.

“We’ve brought in a few strikers so the competition for places is massive. Everyone needs to be on their toes.

"Hopefully we can get on the scoresheet a little bit more, including myself, and all contribute to a good season."