Paul Sykes admits Bradford are the only club for him after today signing a new three-year deal.

The 28-year-old’s existing contract had been due to expire in November but he never entertained the prospect of leaving and has extended his stay until the end of 2013.

Despite uncertainty over the coaching position, the Bulls were equally keen to tie down the England international, who emerged as a key figure since his shift to stand-off this season.

A product of the club’s academy system, Sykes returned in 2008 after a spell at Harlequins and the new deal will take him up to ten years’ service at Odsal.

“I’m really happy here and I’m delighted to get a new contract,” he said.

“I was here before and I’ve been here three years now since coming back from Harlequins. It’s a good club and a good set-up.

“We don’t know who the coach will be next year but we’ve got a great bunch of lads and I want to stay with this club and win things here.”

Also able to play centre and full back, Sykes has become an even more valuable asset due to stricter quota rules, which mean Super League clubs must include eight home-grown players in their senior squad next year.

In a further boost, fellow home-grown star Jamie Langley – who is nearing a return to action after a troublesome quad injury – could follow suit by agreeing a new deal within the coming weeks.

“I’m absolutely delighted Paul’s put pen to paper and signed a three-year deal with the club,” said Bradford chairman Peter Hood.

“He’s home-grown talent, which is particularly important nowadays, and he’s an extremely versatile and important member of the first team. Any coach would be happy to have him in their squad.”

Meanwhile, Hood has reacted angrily to fresh speculation over the future of Matt Orford.

Within hours of yesterday’s announcement that the Aussie scrum half would return home to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, reports had emerged suggesting he had played his last game for the club.

But following extensive discussions with the former Dally M Medal-winner, Hood insists he has no reason to believe Orford will not be back at Bradford next season.

He said: “It’s just irresponsible. When reports appear so soon after the announcement, they’ve obviously been pre-prepared and premeditated and I’m not sure that’s the kind of news reporting we should be seeing.

“The facts are as we reported them. Assuming the surgery on his shoulder all goes to plan, I have absolutely no reason to believe he will not be returning to Bradford for pre-season training in November.”