Darrel Shelford is leaving Bradford Bulls to become assistant coach with Saracens.

The 40-year-old New Zealander, who was assistant coach at Odsal, will start his three-year post with the Zurich Premiership union club on Monday.

Shelford wil be reunited with his brother Wayne (Buck), who is head coach at Vicarage Road.

Darrel, who spent four seasons with Bradford Northern as a player before joining for Huddersfield for three seasons, has been on the coaching staff at Odsal since 1997.

He said: "It was a difficult decision to leave Brian Noble and the boys, but the opportunity to progress in union and possibly eventually get a job back home was too strong.

"There is only one professional rugby league club in New Zealand - the New Zealand Warriors - but there are five Super 12 sides in union and 36 clubs in the National Provincial Championship."

Shelford, named Clubman of the Year for three successive years with the Bulls, added: "I am quite close to Wayne, and hope I can help him.

"We have a good set-up at the Bulls, which was put into place when Brian Smith was coach, and I feel we are leaders in that sense, so I feel confident I can bring something."

Shelford was instrumental in helping the Bulls under-19s reach the Senior Academy Championship final this season, where they only lost a thriller 12-7 at Headingley to Leeds Rhinos.

Bulls head coach Brian Noble said: "Darrel has been outstanding for us for six seasons, and he will be a loss not only for the Bulls, but also for rugby league. I am very disappointed that he is going."