Bradford Bulls have signed Great Britain international Karl Pratt.

The former Leeds Rhinos utility back - he can also play hooker as well as winger and half-back - has joined the World Club champions on a three-year contract.

Pratt, who was declared a free agent by the Rugby Football League last week, was a member of the Great Britain squad for both the one-off Test in Australia in the summer and last month's home Test series against New Zealand.

It's been a season of ups and downs for Pratt, who was in scintillating form for Yorkshire in the second Origin Series

match at Headingley, scoring two tries having come on as a substitute.

And he was one of the better British players and scored a try in the record 64-10 thrashing by Australia in Sydney in July.

But he was pilloried for his failure to deal with the high ball in Great Britain's defeat by New Zealand in the first Test at Ewood Park, and was told that he was no longer part of the Rhinos' plans, despite having two years left on his contract.

However, Pratt feels that the move to Odsal will put his career back on line.

He said: "I am absolutely delighted to be moving to Bradford Bulls.

"I don't think there is a player in the game who wouldn't be excited about joining the current World Club champions. I can't wait to get started and put the disappointments that I have felt overthe past couple of months well and truly behind

me."

Bulls coach Brian Noble is equally chuffed with Pratt's switch and said: "I am extremely excited to have signed a current Great Britain international who is only 22.

"This year has been a roller-coaster for Karl both emotionally and physically, but he has taken his disappointments on the chin.

"We feel there is a lot of improvement in Karl and both the player and ourselves are prepared for the hard work ahead.

"But I feel he will quickly adapt to the Bulls' philosophy and become a valuable member of our squad.His versatility will be a tremendous asset to us over the course of a long season."

Bradford Bulls will once more face Castleford Tigers at The Jungle in a pre-season friendly in 2003. The match will take place on Friday, January 24 (8pm). Last season the Bulls won the corresponding friendly there 30-12 in what was a testimonial match for Gary Mercer. It will again be the Bulls' only warm-up match before the Challenge Cup, whereas the Tigers also face Leeds on Boxing Day at Headingley (11.30).