KURT Haggerty admits it was a "very easy decision" to quit the Bulls and join the newly-formed Toronto Wolfpack.

As revealed by the Telegraph & Argus last week, the 27-year-old has agreed a release from his contract at Bradford and made a shock retirement from playing.

He initially joined the Bulls on a one-year deal for the 2016 campaign but then signed a two-year extension midway through the season which tied him to the club until the end of 2018.

Yet Haggerty was presented with an opportunity to become reunited with Paul Rowley and Simon Finnigan at Toronto, having worked under them at Leigh.

Haggerty said: "I'm extremely excited to be joining the Toronto Wolfpack as an assistant coach. After speaking with Paul and Simon about coming on board, the decision became very easy.

"This is the next chapter in my career and a journey I am proud to be a part of with a group of people who have the same drive and aspirations that I do – to make this club a success."

The Wolfpack, headed up by Rowley as head coach and Brian Noble as director of rugby, will be full-time next season and are widely expected to win an immediate promotion to the Championship.

Haggerty is well-acquainted with Rowley from their time together at Leigh and, significantly, is carving out an impressive reputation as a burgeoning coach.

He is head coach of St Helens-based amateur outfit Pilkington Recs and has guided them to three consecutive promotions to the National Conference top flight.

Rowley said: "I'm delighted to welcome Kurt to the coaching team. I've worked with Kurt before, when I coached him as a very talented player, and so understood his strong thoughts and opinions about how the game should be played.

"He's been very successful in his own right over recent years coaching Pilkington Recs and, as a result, is held in high regard across the game as a very competent coach.

"For these reasons it is a huge boost for us to welcome Kurt to the team and I look forward to sharing the journey ahead with him and the lads."