Former Manchester United youngster Nick Powell has found a new club just hours after having his contract ripped up by Stockport County.
The midfielder, now 31, was described as ‘an exceptional talent’ by the great Sir Alex Ferguson when he signed for the Red Devils for £6million in 2012.
Then only 18, he had just scored a stunner for Crewe Alexandra in their League Two play-off final win against Cheltenham and seemed destined for a successful career at Old Trafford.
But things just never worked out for the Crewe-born wonderkid.
After making just six appearances in his first campaign in Manchester, Ferguson’s last, Powell was deemed surplus to requirements by both David Moyes and Louis van Gaal and loaned out to Wigan Athletic, Leicester City and later Hull City.
In total, Powell played nine times for United, scoring one goal, before being released in the summer of 2016.
Nick Powell was described as an ‘exceptional talent’ by Sir Alex Ferguson when he signed for Manchester United in 2012
But he went on to make just nine appearances for the Red Devils before being released in 2016
He has since carved out a career for himself in the football league, first enjoying a successful three year period at Wigan Athletic, where he fired home 41 goals in 140 appearances.
Powell later moved onto Stoke City, making more than a 100 appearances for the club, before signing for Stockport in 2023.
He was a prominent member of their side in his first season but found himself on the bench in League Two with far more regularity last season.
The Hatters announced his departure on Monday with a statement reading: ‘The club can confirm that midfielder Nick Powell has departed Edgeley Park following a mutual agreement to terminate his contact.’
But perhaps surprisingly it was just hours later that Powell found himself a new club, with Stockport’s League One rivals Bradford City announcing they had secured his signature.
Speaking about the switch, the former Man United star said: ‘I am really pleased to be here.
‘I spoke to Graham Alexander, he sold the club to me and I am raring to go.
‘The crowd here is a massive draw, having such large attendances in League One is a massive pull for anyone.’
He went on to carve a career for himself in the football league, notably enjoying stints at Wigan Athletic and Stoke City
Powell later moved to Stockport County, but left the club my mutual agreement yesterday
Just hours later, the Hatters’ League One rivals Bradford City announced they had signed the former Man United star
Alexander, who was appointed as manager of the Bantams in 2023 and led them to promotion last season, added: ‘Nick’s ability is undoubted and he is determined to rediscover the form he has shown many times previously.
‘It is a deal that suits both parties and we are looking forward to helping him enjoy his football and show his quality once more.’
Powell becomes Bradford’s 10th signing of the summer as they look to put together a successful season in the League One.
They’ve started their campaign strongly, winning two of their three fixtures, drawing the other.