Paul Arnison has paid tribute to Greg Abbott for his part in the defender's move to Valley Parade.

Arnison is eager to get his teeth into pre-season with City on Tuesday after signing a two-year deal.

He was Stuart McCall's top choice for filling the right-back vacancy after being released by Carlisle United.

And Arnison believes McCall's close friendship with Carlisle assistant boss and former Bantams team-mate Abbott was certainly a factor in the club's interest.

Talking to the Telegraph & Argus Arnison said: "Greg was always very good to me at Carlisle. We got on really well with each other and he always said that if I left the club, he'd help me find somewhere else.

"I think Greg persuaded Stuart to sign me! He told me a lot about Stuart and what a character he is.

"I know Stuart came to see me a couple of times last season playing for the reserves and he watched me against Leeds in the play-offs."

The 30-year-old intends to make up for lost time when McCall puts his troops through the annual training slog ready for August. After helping Carlisle to promotion in 2006, he found himself surplus to requirements for much of the last two seasons.

"It's difficult when you train Monday to Friday and then come Saturday you're stuck on the bench. It does get dispiriting but you've got to keep going in case something crops up suddenly like an injury or suspension.

"But hopefully I'll play more than I don't at Bradford. I'm a winner and I want to be successful here.

"This place is very impressive and it's a new challenge for me, which is what I want. I can't wait to get going with pre-season - after six weeks off now I'm a bit bored."

Arnison still lives in Hartlepool, where he was born, and will travel down to Valley Parade with former Pools team-mate Lee Bullock.

He added: "It's a bit daunting when you go to a new club and don't know anybody. But give it a couple of weeks and we will all be team-mates.

"If you want to win things, you've got to be together. Once we get across that white line, we are all in it together. I'm aware of the expectation here and I'm ready for it. You've got to take pressure in any job but especially football when there's 13,000 people shouting at you.

"Hopefully we've got enough big players who can take it and put in a performance every Saturday.

"At Hartlepool, we were only getting attendances of 4,000 or so. Carlisle was better but the manager told me of the crowds we'll get at Bradford and it's fantastic.

"It lifts you when there are that many fans behind you. The expectation is there but you deal with the pressure.

"This club shouldn't be in this division but we are and it will be down to us to get out."