Caltex Socceroos defender joins League One club

Caltex Socceroos defender Ryan McGowan has swapped the UAE for England after joining League One outfit Bradford City on a permanent deal.

The signing, which will be finalised once he gets an international clearance, will see McGowan play for Bradford until the end of the 2018/19 season.

It’s a crucial move for the 28-year-old, who is desperate to play consistently to force his way into the Caltex Socceroos squad for June’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.

McGowan links up with the Bantams on a free transfer from UAE Arabian Gulf League side Al-Sharjah.

The well-travelled Aussie defender has also played for Hearts – where he won the 2012 Scottish Cup Final - and Dundee United in Scotland.

McGowan also featured for Chinese Super League club Shandong Lueng Taishan during his first spell in the country, before returning two years later to play for Henan Jianye and Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng.

He has played 20 times for the Caltex Socceroos, including all three group matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Famously, it was McGowan’s lofted cross which allowed Tim Cahill to score his spectacular volley against the Netherlands in Porto Alegre.

If McGowan’s international clearance comes through in time, he could make his debut in Sunday morning’s (AEDT) clash with AFC Wimbledon at Northern Commercials Stadium.