THE Bulls will unveil their first new signing ahead of the 2015 campaign tomorrow after Manase Manuokafoa secured a move to Widnes.

The 29-year-old former South Sydney, Parramatta and North Queensland prop was keen to stay in Super League and has secured the option of a third season with Denis Betts' Vikings.

Manuokafoa said: "I'm really happy to be joining the Widnes family. I know a lot of the boys there already. There are some great players at Widnes and I just can't wait to be a part of it.

"With the situation as it is at Bradford, I needed to get my future sorted and I wanted security for my family. Denis has shown faith in me and I'm over the moon to be joining Widnes and enhancing the club's good name.

"For a front-rower, I'm heading into my peak and I want to better myself and improve. Widnes have some good young players coming through but I want to earn my spot in the team. I want to enjoy my game and improve week in, week out.

"I'll leave Bradford with some good memories and I've had a good three years there – but you have to move on. I've made friends for life there and the fans have been brilliant but this is a new chapter for me at Widnes."

Betts is delighted with the signing, having tried unsuccessfully to persuade Manuokafoa to join the Vikings during the Bulls' financial crisis.

He said: "We have been looking at him for a while now and I almost signed him a few years ago when the Bulls were in administration the first time around but he was pretty happy to stay where he was.

"We were after something different in a front-rower and he's a big man, has good footwork, he can hit hard and he ticks all the boxes we were looking for on the playing side of things.

"But first and foremost we are getting a great character, a hard worker, and he wants to improve – and that is only going to enhance our playing staff and squad."

Luke Gale's move to Castleford is expected to be announced shortly and Jamal Fakir has confirmed he is heading home at the end of the season to join Lezignan for family reasons.

Fakir revealed he attracted interest from a number of clubs and said: "The Bulls wanted to keep me and London Broncos were interested, as well as Huddersfield and Widnes.

"My priority was to continue my journey in the Super League but after weighing the pros and cons, the balance has tipped the family side.

"We felt with my wife and our daughter it was better to return to France.

"I feel good at Bradford but the future is uncertain here. We do not know which players will remain next season.

"Jimmy Lowes has put more emphasis on defence than Francis Cummins did.

"We were too lax in this area of the game and we have made real progress in recent times. In addition, Lowes has a lot of knowledge after all his years spent as assistant.

"I've enjoyed my time here but I am looking forward to playing at Lezignan too."