Hope Akpan has joined Burton Albion's League One rivals Bradford City after deciding not to sign a new deal with the Brewers.

Akpan was out of contract at the Pirelli Stadium and had been offered a new deal to stay with Albion for the 2018-19 campaign, with Nigel Clough saying they would do "everything we can to try to get him to stay".

But the former Everton and Blackburn Rovers midfielder has now put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Bantams.

He becomes Bradford's ninth signing of the summer as they gear up for a push at promotion into the Championship.

Akpan made 29 appearances for the Brewers last season after joining in July, and played a key role in their belated surge for safety in the final month of the campaign.

His equaliser at Preston North End on the final day looked to be securing Albion's against-the-odds survival, only for the late drama at Bolton Wanderers which ultimately saw Burton drop into League One.

The Nigeria international follows Tom Naylor in deciding to leave the Brewers following the expiry of their contracts at the Pirelli.

On Akpan's signing, Bradford head coach Michael Collins said: "We are really pleased to get Hope into the building.

"We already had excellent quality in that area (midfield), but Hope will add to that whilst also offering a strong physical presence.

"The intensity of the league demands we have quality in all departments to cope, and we feel like we are getting there now."