Ryan East secures permanent deal with Rochdale from Bradford

Rochdale AFC has successfully converted midfielder Ryan East's loan into a permanent deal, securing his services for the next 18 months.

The transfer, finalising his move from Bradford City, comes after a fruitful loan period where East became a crucial player for Dale.

Since joining the club on loan from the League Two side in August, East has been a consistent presence in the team, making 24 appearances and scoring four goals.

His contribution has not gone unnoticed, as he was voted the Dale Supporters Trust November Player of the Month.

East expressed his enthusiasm about the deal, stating, “I’m delighted. It was an easy decision to commit my future here. I’ve loved every second since I arrived."

"The gaffer has shown a lot of faith in me, and I’ve really enjoyed playing in front of the fans. It was a very easy decision.”

He also revealed that talks about making his move permanent started early in his loan period, but he chose to focus on his performance for the club.

The 25-year-old midfielder's adaptability has been a highlight, with a recent shift to a more advanced role under manager Jimmy McNulty. This change has seen him score four goals, including a double in a match against Altrincham last month.

East's signing is partly financed by the Dale Trust. His debut for Rochdale was in their third match of the season at Woking, and he has since started every single match for the team.