Defender, Macaulay Gillesphey has completed a move from Charlton Athletic to Bradford City for an undisclosed fee.
Gillesphey joined Nathan Jones’ Addicks from Plymouth Argyle in January 2024 and went on to score eight goals in 109 appearances across all competitions, which included a 31st-minute winner against Leyton Orient in the 2025 League One Play-Off Final to secure promotion to the Championship.
In a farewell message to Charlton supporters on cafc.co.uk, Gillesphey spoke of his pride at having been part of the club for the last two-and-a-half years.
“The last two-and-a-half years have been some of the best of my life and I’ll always look back at my time here with a huge amount of pride. We went through plenty of ups and downs, but those ups have been something else!
“The play-off semi-final against Wycombe was obviously special, but for me to be the one to score the winner at Wembley in front of nearly 40,000 Addicks is something me and my family will always treasure.
“Charlton quickly became our home and my daughter was born here, so we’ll always have a special connection with this club and the area.
“Thank you for everything.”
Jones paid tribute to Gillesphey for his adaptability throughout their time together at The Valley – having joined just weeks after Gillesphey, and believes that Bradford are a club worthy of having Gillesphey in the next chapter of the centre-back’s career.
“We’d like to thank Macca. We’ve had two-and-a-half really productive years since he first came in. We had some real open and honest conversations about what he needed to do to play in our team and he adjusted quickly.
“He then had a fantastic year in League One, which culminated in him scoring one of the most important goals in Charlton’s recent history. He then proved that he could also play in the Championship.
“We wish him all the best. He’s going to a fantastic football club with a wonderful manager, because I know Graham Alexander very well. I’m sure he’ll be at the top end of League One again and fighting for another promotion. We wish him all the best and thank him for all that he’s done for the club.”
“very excited to be here”
Upon signing for Bradford, Gillesphey told bradfordcityafc.com that he is “very excited” to join the Bantams who reached the League One Play-Offs last season, but lost to eventual play-off winners, Bolton Wanderers in the semi-final stage.
“I am very excited to be here, it is a massive club with ambitions. I have played here in the past and the stadium is brilliant.
“Speaking to the manager and the direction the club is trying to go was a big reason why I signed for the club. I am really looking forward to it.”
Bradford manager, Graham Alexander added: “Macaulay joins us after a successful spell at Charlton, following on from another at Plymouth, winning promotion to the Championship at both.
“He is a very good defender with excellent ability in possession. His attributes will help us progress, and he was very determined to join us. We are excited to work with him.”
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