Reece Staunton


Reece Staunton is a professional footballer who plays for Bradford City as a defender and defensive midfielder.
Born in England, he represents Ireland at youth international level.

Club career

He made his senior debut on 7 November 2017, at the age of 15 years 332 days, becoming the club's youngest ever player. He signed a two-year academy scholarship with the club in September 2017, having first joined at under-12 level.
He made his first appearance of the 2018–19 season in a 4–1 home defeat in the EFL Trophy on 9 October 2018. He was praised by manager David Hopkin for his performance in the match.
In August 2019 he moved on loan to Ossett United. He returned to Bradford City on 23 September 2019. He made his first City appearance of the 2019–20 season a few days later, in the EFL Trophy.
In November 2019 he moved on loan to Bradford. The loan was exteded in December 2019 for a further month, with Park Avenue manager Mark Bower praising Staunton. Later that month he turned professional with Bradford City, signing a contract until the end of the 2021–22 season. On 8 January 2020 the loan deal was ended early.
At the end of the 2019–20 season he was praised by new City manager Stuart McCall, who said Staunton was one of potentially four youngsters who would join the first-team for the 2020–21 season.

International career

In November 2018 he was called up by the Republic of Ireland under-18 team, having first been involved with the national team set-up since the previous year.

Playing style

Speaking in May 2020, Bradford City manager Stuart McCall described Staunton by saying "he's adaptable because he can play left back, left centre half in a three and can sit in front of the back four. He's got a really good passing range".

Career statistics