Fit-again Chev Walker became a Bull today and announced: This is a new start for me and the club.

The former Great Britain centre has put 11 months of injury hell behind him by signing a one-year deal at Odsal.

And Walker is hungry to rekindle the good times for both himself and the Bulls.

The 27-year-old has missed the entire campaign at Hull KR after suffering an horrific compound fracture of his left leg against former club Leeds in last year’s play-offs.

Walker suffered two breaks of the fibia, and his tibia was completely smashed by a tackle from Keith Senior.

He only got the all-clear to resume training ten days ago – and then played his first game since the injury for the Under-20s against Wigan on Saturday.

But Walker insists his career was never in doubt – and that Bulls fans will see him back to his best.

“It’s been a long slog,” he admitted. “But I never had any doubt that I’d be back playing again.

“I’m one of those people who believe that if you work hard, then things will happen for you.

“It was a long road getting back but I’ve always tried to stay positive. Other sportsmen have had the same injury and come back fine.

“I set myself day-by-day challenges. If I couldn’t put my toe down one day then I tried to do that the next.

“It was a case of taking baby steps until things started picking up and I started to feel like myself again.

“The light at the end of the tunnel was a long way away but I’ve got there now and it’s brilliant.

“Now I aim to grow with the club and get back to how I know I can play.”

Walker admitted there were a few nerves before his first training session. But they soon disappeared once he got back involved.

“I had a little walk around and thought about what I had to do to help the leg. But I didn’t worry about that once I got the ball in hand.

“Tackling is part and parcel of the game and you just don’t worry about it.

“It was great to play again on Saturday and I saw quite a bit of the ball.

“I had some carries but just felt rusty. The timing was a bit off and I was not able to get in close but you expect that.

“I can’t wait to join in pre-season with Bradford now. That is a major stepping stone to getting back to some kind of form.”

Walker is eager to hook up with new coach Mick Potter and has picked up impressive reports from those who have played under him.

“He seems very smart and switched on. Talking to a few boys, he always demands the best of you, which is ideal.

“I like a coach who will give me some kind of role. I want someone breathing down my neck and giving me a bit of direction.

“Every team goes through phases of glory and times when things don’t go their way. But there’s no reason why a big club like Bradford cannot be challenging again.

“I can’t wait for pre-season to come around. It’s a major stepping stone to getting back to some kind of form.

“I still have personal ambitions of getting back into the England squad but that’s way off for me at the moment. I just want to be playing again and helping Bradford get back up there.”

Bulls chairman Peter Hood was delighted to make Walker the first new capture for 2011.

He said: “Chev is a high quality player who has represented his country on 12 occasions. We are delighted he has agreed to join the club and feel he will do well in this environment.

“He is the first of several new signings that we will be announcing over the coming weeks as we look to improve and add more depth to the squad.”