THE Bulls have signed one of their own in Elliot Minchella.

The 21-year-old, who was born and bred in the city and has supported the club all his life – having been on their books as a youngster – has joined on a two-year deal as his contract with Sheffield Eagles expires at the end of this season.

Minchella came through Leeds Rhinos' academy and made six appearances for them in three years, scoring a try on his debut at Salford in 2013.

He then made his mark in the Championship – firstly with London Broncos, where he was on loan, and later Sheffield, for whom he signed in 2015.

The second-rower or loose forward, who is delighted to have joined his home-town club as he comes from a family of staunch Bulls supporters, said: "I'm out of contract with Sheffield at the end of this season, so I was approached by Bradford to see if I would be interested in joining.

"As soon as I spoke to them, I was quite set on coming. I am very happy to have signed and can't wait to get started."

The West Bowling product, who was raised in Clayton Heights before moving to Leeds, revealed he has supported Bradford for as long as he can remember.

He said: "I've been to Grand Finals when they were there. The club means a lot to me and I am very excited to be a part of it."

Minchella, who played for England under-16s and Academy – captaining the latter before helping them defeat the Australian Schoolboys for the first time in four years in 2014 – has been a stand-out performer for the Eagles this season after playing across the line to fill in for injured players.

The former St Bede's pupil, who also had a year with Keighley Cougars in his mid-teens, said: "I give everything I can when I go out there. I put that in my performances and give 100 per cent.

"It means a bit more to me than maybe some others that play the game, so for me to play for Bradford, I will feel the pressure to play for them and do well.

"I have my own expectation and I want to be successful with the club and I want to make sure that happens.

"I wouldn't have signed for a club I wasn't sure what direction they were going in. Stuart Duffy and Andrew Chalmers have spoken a lot to me and they have a great plan in place for the club's future."

Minchella, whose dad Chris is a former player, will be fulfilling a dream by pulling on the red, amber and black jersey, rather than cheering the team on from the terraces.

He explained: "I was very pleased to hear from Bradford. It's my home-town club and I've always wanted to play for them.

"That time has now come. I think it is the right time for me to move to Bradford. I'm just looking forward to ripping in."

Minchella, who originally established himself as a hard-hitting loose forward, has adapted to the role of second row and, most recently, scrum half.

The utility player caught the eye of the Bulls as he broke the whitewash 14 times for the Eagles this year.

"I had a good meeting with them (the Bulls) and the reason that I signed is that I want to help the club back to where it belongs," he said.

"It's a shame to see how it has fallen but I am on board to help get them back to where they want to be and I believe they should be.

"It'd been said this year with Sheffield, I am quite versatile, which I suppose is true. I am willing to play in any position if it means that I get on the field.

"I just want to be out there playing. Whichever position I am playing in, I will give my all to try and make sure that we come out on top."