Bradford Bulls has secured a four-year £1.2 million sponsorship deal with the city’s Provident Financial Group, which has been hailed the biggest in Super League history.

The club’s new owner Omar Khan and honorary chairman Gerry Sutcliffe yesterday revealed the club has signed an agreement with the Centenary Square money-lending firm, which will see its name emblazoned on the team’s kit and the club’s Odsal ground renamed The Provident Stadium.

The news comes just days after the Telegraph & Argus reported how the company was to create another 250 jobs in Bradford city centre, taking its Bradford workforce to more than 1,000.

Mr Khan, who saved the Super League side from the brink of liquidation on August 31, unveiled the new shirt during a press conference in the Coral Stand, declaring it “the greatest day in Bulls’ history.”

“Things are going to get bigger and better,” he said.

“We’ve been working extremely hard to get a sponsor and we have had to do it later than other clubs, but Provident is a company that shares our vision for the regeneration of Bradford.

“It sends a message out to fans that this club can be a jewel in the crown of the city and we will work to make sure our dreams become reality.”

The big-money deal with Provident exceeds the length of Bulls’ current one-year Super League licence, which former Sports Minister Mr Sutcliffe said showed a “massive vote of confidence” in the club.

He also revealed he and Mr Khan had attended a meeting of top-flight teams earlier this week and believed it would have its franchise extended with the support of the wider rugby league community.

“It’s a great feeling to have a vote of confidence from a significant company in the business world,” the Bradford South MP said.

“It’s not just a Bradford company, it’s one of the top companies in the country.

“It employs Bradford people and, like us, wants to see the city thrive.

“This is the biggest deal in the Super League and it shows there’s confidence in the city, the city’s regeneration and is great news for the club.”

Provident chief executive Peter Cook, who worked at Barclays bank when it struck its sponsorship deal with the English Premier League, said its partnership with Bulls was a “natural fit”.

“We have great hopes for the Bulls and are proud to be part of Omar and Gerry’s vision for a club that’s at the heart of the community.”

Bulls also announced The Aspire Group, which is to build a £45 million development of more than 700 apartments on Manchester Road, as another of its shirt sponsors – joining fast-food chain Rajas and Sovereign Healthcare.

Ben Pilgrim, of the firm, said it had signed a one-season deal, for an undisclosed amount, which would also see it build a new club shop at the stadium with a show apartment for its development on the first floor.

He said: “It’s a unique deal. We hope to build a long-term relationship.”