ALEX Gilliead has returned to Shrewsbury in a permanent move after signing a two-year deal.

The midfielder played 205 games with seven goals in three spells for the Bantams – including 48 appearances last season. But he has not featured at all in the opening month of the new campaign.

Gilliead initially signed on loan from Newcastle for Stuart McCall in January 2017 and was on the bench when the Bantams lost the League One play-off final to Millwall.

READ MORE: Picture special when Gilliead clocked up 200 City games

He came back to Valley Parade for a second loan spell in the following season before joining Shrewsbury, where he played 35 times during the 2018-2019 campaign.

Ironically, Gilliead made his debut for the Shropshire club against City when Michael Collins’ side claimed a 1-0 away win.

 

 

Gilliead signed permanently for City in the summer of 2021 and earned a regular place in the side, wearing the captain’s armband on a number of occasions.

He reached the 200-game milestone last season before his final game for the club in their 2-1 win at Barrow in April.