Doubts over Nick Powell’s future at Stockport County first surfaced when the midfielder was left without a squad number for the new season.
After joining as a free agent from Stoke City in summer 2023 and making 32 appearances in his debut campaign, Powell’s second year at Edgeley Park proved stop-start. The 31-year-old managed only seven league outings — just three of them in 2025.
Stockport boss Dave Challinor confirmed back in July that both parties had agreed Powell would move on this summer, despite having a year left on his contract. “As soon as the season ended, we agreed Nick would move on,” Challinor told BBC Sport Manchester. “There’s no resolution yet, but all sides are working towards it.”
That resolution is now close. Journalist Sam Byrne reports that Powell is set to cut ties with County imminently, with Bradford City poised to secure his signature.
Graham Alexander’s Bantams, off to a steady start in League One, are looking to bolster an already strong midfield with the former Crewe Alexandra play-off final hero.
Powell, who has spent most of his career in the Championship, has only a couple of League One seasons under his belt. He’ll face a fight to displace Alexander’s current midfield mainstays but has the ability to make an impact.
The length of his Bradford deal will reveal how much faith the club has in the ex-Manchester United man. While his League Two form at Stockport was strong, he struggled to replicate it in the third tier. Whether Alexander can unlock his best at this level remains to be seen — and a contract beyond two years appears unlikely at this stage of his career.
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