BRADFORD (Park Avenue) have brought back a popular name from their two famous playoff finishes.

Luca Havern links back up with Mark Bower and brings some much-needed experience to Bradford's leaky defence, after it conceded 80 goals in the 2019/20 league campaign.

The 31-year-old, who had previously played over 200 games at National League level, spent a third spell at Ashton United last season, before returning to Horsfall.

Havern started his career at Stockport County in 2006, scoring on his League One debut before being released amid the financial trouble at Edgeley Park three years later.

He had spent time on loan in 2007 at Radcliffe Borough and Ashton while with County, but joined Conference side Mansfield upon his release.

However in the summer, Havern returned to Stockport for the 2009-10 season, making eight appearances before leaving the following August.

A spell at Mossley was followed by a return to Ashton in 2010-11 before Havern made a move to the Conference North with Hyde United.

Havern scored three goals in 32 appearances as Hyde won Conference North in 2011-12, but the defender chose to move to Altrincham that summer.

Two years in the Conference North at Moss Lane culminated in a thrilling play-off final victory, in which Bower's Guiseley were defeated by a 119th-minute Greg Wilkinson strike.

The centre back spent the next two years in the National League with Altrincham, but left the club as they were relegated in 2016, having made 133 appearances for them, scoring six goals.

During his time at Altrincham, Havern found the net at the Horsfall Stadium, scoring the Robins' first goal in a 2-2 draw in April 2013.

He then joined Telford, where he was made captain and won the player of the year award after making 40 appearances at the New Bucks Head.

Havern becomes the 11th player, joining fellow defenders Mitch Lund, Ryan Toulson and Matthew Downing, to commit to the 2020/21 campaign.

Speaking to Avenue's website, he said: "I am delighted to return to Bradford (Park Avenue) for the coming season and to be able to work with Bowes, Bosh (Danny Boshell) and Tully (Toulson) again.

"Over the 2 seasons I played at the Horsfall, we had some good times and I would love to emulate that again next season.

"The new pitch will be great for the club and the community and I’m looking forward to getting started and seeing everyone."

Bradford boss Bower added: "It is great to have Luca back at the club. 

"He was a highly respected member of the squad in his previous spell and has a wealth of playing experience at National League level.

"Central defence is a key position, so having a player like Luca, who I know we can rely on to put in consistent performances, gives us a good foundation to build a competitive team."