Kayden Jackson reacts to Sam Walker's emotional Bradford City exit message | OneFootball

Bradford City forward Kayden Jackson has sent a message to goalkeeper Sam Walker on social media after he left the club to join Watford.

Bradford City forward Kayden Jackson has taken to social media to send a message to goalkeeper Sam Walker following his move to Watford.

It was an outstanding first year back in League One for Bradford last season as they finished fourth in the table, but the campaign ended in heartbreak as they were beaten 2-0 on aggregate by Bolton Wanderers in their play-off semi-final.

Bradford City promotion hero Sam Walker makes Watford switch

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Despite missing out on promotion last season, many expect Bradford to challenge towards the top of League One again this time around, and it has been a busy summer at Valley Parade.

The Bantams have made eight new signings so far this summer, with Jon McCracken, Cameron Dawson, Callum Connolly, Reece Welsh, Macaulay Gillesphey, Adam Phillips, Henry Cartwright and Jake Beesley all arriving in West Yorkshire.

However, there have also been a host of departures, and after three of last season's regulars, Curtis Tilt, Max Power and Jenson Metcalfe, moved on, goalkeeper Sam Walker became the latest high-profile exit as he made the move to Championship side Watford.

Walker joined Bradford in January 2024 following his departure from Charlton Athletic, and he kept 16 clean sheets in 46 appearances in the 2024-25 season to help his side to automatic promotion from League Two, ending their six-year exile from the third tier.

The 34-year-old was an ever-present once again last season as the Bantams achieved a top six finish, but his two-and-a-half year spell at the club has now come to an end after he completed the switch to Vicarage Road on Wednesday.

Kayden Jackson reacts as Sam Walker pens heartfelt Bradford City farewell message

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Walker was a hugely popular figure at Bradford, which is underlined by the emotional reaction to his exit.

The goalkeeper was Graham Alexander's first signing after taking over at Valley Parade, and the Bantams boss paid tribute to him earlier this week prior to his move to Watford being confirmed, describing him as "an absolute diamond of a man" and a "brilliant goalkeeper", admitting that he is "genuinely going to miss him".

As he said his goodbyes, Walker shared a lengthy and heartfelt message with Bradford supporters via the club's official Instagram account, claiming that it had been "an honour and a privilege to represent your football club".

Walker also revealed that a desire to return down south to be closer to his family had been the "main driver of this decision", but he promised that he would return to watch his former club in action as a fan in the future.

Jackson, who scored three goals in 15 appearances for the Bantams in the second half of last season following his January move from Derby County, was among those to react to Walker's statement, writing on his Instagram story: "Legend of a man", accompanied by a blue heart emoji.

Graham Alexander has already found the perfect Sam Walker replacement at Bradford City

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Walker has not only been an excellent goalkeeper for Bradford, but it seems he has also been an important presence in the dressing room, providing leadership and helping to set the culture that has led to the club's recent success.

There is no doubt that Walker will be missed at Valley Parade, but Alexander has already found a strong replacement in McCracken, who was one of the standout goalkeepers in the Scottish Premiership over the past few years with Dundee.

McCracken had been linked with the likes of Queens Park Rangers, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday prior to joining the Bantams, so it was something of a coup for the club to land his signature, while Alexander has also brought in a solid back-up in Dawson, who has plenty of League One experience under his belt.