Departed striker Vadaine Oliver will be competing against Gillingham this season after completing a deal with a rival League 2 side.

Oliver, 30, ended a two-year stay with the Gills after expressing his desire to move back up north and closer to his family. He has got what he wanted with a move to Bradford City.

Gillingham’s divisional rivals said they “beat off competition from across the EFL” for the big striker who had been the top scorer at Priestfield for the past two season. Oliver scored 27 league goals in 82 matches.

His first season with the Gills was his best, finishing the 2020/21 campaign with 20 goals, benefitting from the service provided out wide by Jordan Graham. The Gills were unable to replace Graham’s quality when he left for Birmingham City and Oliver’s goal-tally suffered.

Despite losing his wing-man last season, Sheffield-based Oliver was still among the goals, netting another 11 in a team that struggled and were eventually relegated.

City manager Mark Hughes said they were “extremely excited” about Oliver’s arrival. He will come up against the Gills at Priestfield on Saturday, December 10.

After completing the formalities on a three-year contract, Oliver said on the Bradford City club website that “it was really just about their ambitions for the club and what they want to achieve,” for his reason to sign for them.

“I was in contact with other clubs in higher leagues, but wanted to be a part of this, and am on board with the vision.”

He won promotion with Northampton Town last time he played in League 2, but then moved to the Gills the following season. He’s hoping for another stab at promotion this term.

“The club’s ambitions match my own,” he said.

“I am aware of the size and stature of the club and being a part of it is special. I cannot wait to get started.”

Oliver was rarely beaten in the air while at the Gills and manager Neil Harris is currently in talks with a target-man to replace the departed striker.