The Bulls today sprung a major shock after bringing Ben Jeffries back to the club.

Jeffries has put pen to paper on a deal running until the end of next season after Wakefield agreed to his release.

The Aussie half-back only joined the Wildcats 18 months ago and was stunned when Bradford approached him about a possible return.

Although the signing came too late for Jeffries to feature in tomorrow’s Challenge Cup fourth-round tie against Halifax, he is expected to make his first appearance in next week’s trip to Hull KR.

He admitted: “It came out of the blue. I got a phone call from (Wakefield coach) John Kear on Wednesday telling me that Bradford had made enquiries.

“It was a surprise but I was excited to hear about the interest, although it was hard to leave my team-mates halfway through a season.

“I don’t believe in walking out on a team but that’s the way professional sport can be sometimes and I had to think about my wife and two kids.

“It’s good to be coming back to Bradford. I’m not coming in blindfolded. I’ve played with half this squad before so I know what to expect and I’m looking forward to it.”

Jeffries initially swapped Wakefield for Bradford ahead of the 2008 season and scored 15 tries in 49 appearances during two years at Odsal.

A return to the Wildcats followed and the 30-year-old became a key figure for John Kear’s side until an injury crisis paved the way for a second spell with the Bulls.

Currently denied the services of eight first-team players, including key playmaker Brett Kearney, Mick Potter jumped at the chance to recruit Jeffries.

“It’s something that potentially could have come up earlier in the season but nothing happened then,” said the Bradford boss.

“It built momentum fairly quickly after recent injuries and the opportunity was too good not to take up.

“Ben is a quality player and he’s been at the Bulls before so he knows what the club’s about.

“He can play half-back or five-eighth, can kick the ball and adds value to our squad.

“He potentially can play a few more years after this, so he’s by no means over the hill and could play a part for us in the future.”

Jeffries has made just five Super League appearances this season due to a calf injury but is expected to start training with Bradford next week after returning to full fitness.

The former St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers star could provide the solution to a playmaking crisis sparked by Kearney’s absence.

Fellow Aussie Marc Herbert has so far failed to live up to expectations and Jeffries is a possible option to take the reins at scrum half as the Bulls aim to address a glaring shortage of creativity.

Importantly, he is also due to receive a British passport at the end of this month, having spent approaching ten years in the country, meaning he will no longer count towards the overseas quota.