Logan Swann, the Bulls' major acquisition for the 2004 season, has revealed just how close he came to joining the club three years ago.

"We were very close to signing with Bradford," said Swann.

"My father and I sat down in a hotel room with former Bulls coach Matthew Elliot and talked about me coming to Bradford.

"At the end of the day my father said: 'You've got to prove yourself in this competition, prove yourself Down Under first'.

"Being a respectful son, I had to take that on board and I ended up staying at Auckland."

Leaving the New Zealand Warriors - the club he joined as a junior in 1995 - will be a massive upheaval for the Auckland-born Swann, but he is looking forward to the challenge of establishing himself in Super League.

"It's very sad to be leaving my friends, family and team-mates. But when one door closes another opens. And in this case it's a very big door that's opened.

"I'm very fortunate to be able to play alongside the champs of 2003, to get the chance to play with some great players."

Having six other Kiwis at the Bulls, five of whom he's played with at international and club level, is sure to make the transition easier for Swann.

"I'm very excited about hooking up with Joe, Shontayne, Les and Robbie. We have some very close friendships and I can't wait to play with them again.

"For me it's a dream come true to get the chance to travel to the north of England to play in such a good side with so many friends."

The rangy second-rower has been in the best form of his career over the last two seasons, having woven a new-found footballing intelligence into a game that has always been awesomely athletic. Swann puts the improvement down to experience.

"I've been able to stay very focused and very motivated. I'm just a boy from Glen Innes in Auckland and to begin with when you first start representing your club and your country it is a great honour and a thrill, but it can be a bit overwhelming. I guess it happens as you get older that you realise there is a bit more to it.

"You realise you have to pay back all of the people who supported you to help you get where you are and who still support you. It's a big responsibility."

Swann confirmed there had been plenty of interest in signing him from several clubs in Britain and

Australia.

"But in the end I just had to take that one club that at this point in time that would give me the chance to continue to try to excel and to prove myself," he said.

Swann said he expected to be at Bradford in time for the World Club Challenge match against Penrith Panthers in February and was hoping to extend his contract beyond the current one-year deal.

"If all goes well, God willing, I'd love to stay at Bradford for another two or three seasons."