Bradford City are close to signing a loan deal for Crystal Palace youngster Hindolo Mustapha reporter Bobby Manzi.
Bradford City sit third in League One, just five points behind leaders Cardiff City and two points behind Lincoln City in the last automatic promotion spot. Graham Alexander has breathed new life into BCAFC following their promotion from League Two last season.
Finishing third place and four points ahead of Stockport County underlines the impressive progress made under his leadership. Such a good start to the year puts them in a good place ahead of the January term.
The Bantams quickly launched their operations in January and raked in revenue Louie Sibley on loan from Oxford United. Now a new loan deal appears close as Crystal Palace youngster Hindolo Mustapha closes in on a move, according to reporter Bobby Manzi.
Mustapha spent the first half of the season on loan in Germany with Bundesliga 2 side 1.FC Nurnberg. However, he did not feature for the first team and the spell was cut short in December.
After impressing as a youth player at Crystal Palace, he is looking to make his mark in the adult game. Palace hope that Bradford City can be the ideal place for him to kick-start his career.
Hindolo Mustapha’s stats for Crystal Palace U21s last season
More on potential Bradford City man Hindolo Mustapha
Teenage midfielder Mustapha is still in the early stages of his development. He is yet to make a senior appearance, and all his football to date has come at youth level with Crystal Palace and for the Nuremberg reserves.
Despite this, he is very highly regarded and even had interest from Championship Portsmouth in the summer. The interest underlines the appreciation the youngster receives, especially after boss John Mousinho personally scouted the youngster.
Mustapha shone for Palace’s U18s, scoring five goals and 12 assists in 32 games, before earning a move to the U21s this season. He continued to impress at the senior level, producing nine goals and five assists in 23 games, including goals against senior opponents in the EFL Trophy against Gillingham and Peterborough United.
Mustapha is a three-time international from Sierra Leone and usually operates as a central attacking midfielder. He’s also comfortable going deeper when necessary and has enjoyed large-scale spells during the current campaign.
Bradford City’s past with Crystal Palace
BCAFC and Palace have built a good relationship over the past year. Last season, Tayo Adaramola was loaned to Bradford City for the second half of the season.
He subsequently became a key part of the Bantams’ squad as they earned promotion from League Two. He made 16 appearances for the club and picked up three assists from the full-back.
That form earned him a move to League One side Leyton Orient this season. Crystal Palace are hoping that Mustapha can secure an equally successful loan from Bradford City in January.
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