After days of bubbling rumours within the fanbase, League One side Bradford City have today confirmed the arrival of Wrexham legend Paul Mullin on loan until the end of the season.
Speculation began on Wednesday evening, catching Bantams supporters off guard as they entered the transfer window hoping for reinforcements up front.
Strengthening the forward line has been a priority for Bradford since club legend Andy Cook was sidelined with a serious ligament injury last season, leaving a significant void at the top of the pitch.
Here, Transfer News Blitz writer Charlie Gardner analyses the Bantams’ newest recruit and asks whether Mullin is truly up to the required standard.
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What can he bring to the team?
For most football fans, Paul Mullin is a name that needs little introduction — regardless of where you stand on his ability.
Mullin first made waves in the EFL after a sensational 32-goal, Golden Boot–winning campaign with Cambridge United.
That form earned him a move to a struggling National League side that had just undergone a high-profile takeover by two Hollywood actors. You know the rest.
His spell at Wrexham saw him take non-league football by storm, eventually securing promotion at the second attempt. His strike partnership with Ollie Palmer proved devastating, combining physical presence with relentless movement and finishing.
In League Two, Mullin continued to deliver, scoring a respectable 24 goals across the campaign. At that level, he became known not just for his finishing, but for his tireless work rate and the variety of goals in his locker.
While Mullin has demonstrated clear poaching instincts, he is not the same physical presence Andy Cook was for Bradford.
Instead, he thrives as a relentless nuisance – a forward who presses aggressively, harries defenders, and creates chaos inside the box.
That relentless energy aligns well with Graham Alexander’s system at Valley Parade, where intensity and pressing have been key components of Bradford’s recent success.
If Mullin’s time at Wrexham taught him anything, it’s how to perform under expectation. Love them or loathe them, Wrexham is a pressure-cooker club – and Mullin learned to deliver when success was not just hoped for, but demanded.
Bradford City is no easy ride either, but Mullin appears well-equipped to handle the scrutiny.
Is he up to standard?
Despite his prolific record in Wales, legitimate questions remain about the level at which the 31-year-old can consistently perform.
In League Two and below, Mullin’s goalscoring record speaks for itself. He knows how to find the net. However, his League One output is far less convincing.
Across his career, Mullin has scored just nine League One goals in 66 appearances (25 starts).
That statistic has left some City fans unconvinced, particularly given Andy Cook’s departure and Mullin’s lack of proven output at this level.
There is some context to consider. A freak injury ruled him out ahead of Wrexham’s League One campaign last season, disrupting momentum and fitness.
Even so, doubts linger over whether League One is ultimately his ceiling.
A brief spell at a struggling Wigan Athletic side earlier this season proved challenging, with Mullin scoring four goals. However, that tally came from just seven starts – and only seven full games’ worth of minutes – a return that is arguably more respectable than it appears on paper.
Bradford typically operate with a lone striker, but Mullin has historically thrived most in a partnership.
To maximise his impact, a tactical tweak or the recruitment of a suitable strike partner may be required.
That said, Bradford are currently operating at a higher level of performance than Wigan, and a more cohesive side could allow Mullin to flourish.
Overall thoughts
Mullin’s arrival has undoubtedly polarised the Bradford City fanbase.
He is a proven goalscorer at certain levels and, from a Bantams perspective, one of those relentlessly irritating players you hate to face – which is often a good sign when he’s wearing your colours.
The pressure of Valley Parade should suit him, and when the goals do come, supporters are likely to embrace him quickly.
But is a player yet to fully prove himself in League One the right answer for a promotion-chasing side? That remains unclear.
Ultimately, Mullin’s success at Bradford may depend less on his ability and more on how he is used.
Get the system right, and the gamble could pay off. Get it wrong, and the doubts will only grow.
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