Journalist reveals move NUFC player had lined up last summer – until Bruce saw him train..

According to the Chronicle’s Mark Douglas, Matty Longstaff was expected to join Bradford City on loan last summer – but Steve Bruce called the deal off soon after his arrival.

It seems he looked set for a spell in League Two at one stage, however it’s emerged that Bruce pulled the plug on his proposed move to Bradford after being so impressed by what he saw from the tenacious midfielder in training.

With him then going on to feature heavily over pre-season and be named in Bruce’s Premier League squad, this really does make you realise how quickly things can change for young players waiting for their chance or lucky break into first-team contention.

The 19-year-old was coming off the back of an impressive season with our U-23’s last summer and had been tipped to follow in his brothers footsteps, but I don’t think anyone expected him to make 13 appearances for the senior side this season – let alone score twice in two league meetings with Manchester United.

He’s showed youthful naivety at times, with us often being overrun in midfield when he and Sean have played alongside one another, but he’s showed impressive composure, an incredible engine and a real eye for goal – scoring as many goals as our £40m striker in just 11 starts this season.

With his contract currently due to expire this summer, let’s hope a new deal is agreed soon to keep him at his boyhood club for many years to come.

If the early signs are anything to go by, he has every chance of making it!

(Fancy writing for us? Get in touch at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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