BARNSLEY centre half Jack Shepherd has become City’s sixth signing of the summer.

The 23-year-old has joined on a season-long loan from the League One side.

The 6ft 2in Shepherd began his career in non-league with Penistone Church, before spells at Athersley Recreation and Pontefract Collieries.

He joined the Tykes last summer and played 25 times in the 2023/2024 campaign – with 12 of those on loan for Cheltenham.

Shepherd said: “I am excited to be here and cannot wait to get started. This is a big move for me and I am looking forward to getting some games in.

“I was at the Sunderland game and was really impressed by the ground. The result was a good one in the end, and we played some really good football.

“I played here last season and it is an intimidating place to visit. We have to use that to our advantage to spur us on and get the fans behind us.

“I would like to say I am good in the air, with my height, and aggressive thanks to my non-league background. The main aim is to keep the ball out of the back of the net, and my job is done.

“This is a big club with aspirations of getting promoted this season, so hopefully we can have a successful one. It was an easy decision when it came around.

“The lads and the staff have all been very welcoming and I have had a great first session. We are all ready to go.”

Shepherd, who was nicknamed the “young Maldini” by fans at Pontefract, will be hoping for better fortunes at Valley Parade in a City shirt.

He was sent off for a professional foul on Tyler Smith in the last minute of Barnsley’s 5-1 defeat in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy nine months ago.

Graham Alexander is pleased to finally get the defender, who will wear the number 24 shirt, on board after missing out on taking him with the squad to Austria.

Shepherd's move coincides with signing a new two-year deal at his parent club, who also have the option of a further season.

Alexander said: “We have been waiting to get this deal done for a few weeks now.

“Jack has all the attributes we like in our defenders, and he is hungry for the challenge ahead.

“He will bring strong competition for our backline and I am very happy to get him here before the season kicks off.”

Barnsley sporting director Mladen Sormaz told their club website: "Jack made a big step-up into league football last season and we want to continue his development.

"What he needs this season is a lot of games and we feel League Two is the right standard. Bradford are a good club to bring him on and we will see how he develops this campaign."