TALK to anyone in the game about James Clare and the soundbites are all the same.

"Very good finisher… plenty of pace… why have Castleford let him go?"

Well, the Tigers' loss promises to be Bradford's gain.

A record of 21 tries in 32 Super League appearances for Castleford prompted the Bulls to hand the winger a deal until the end of next season.

Having progressed through the ranks at Wheldon Road, Clare admitted: "The move was definitely a shock.

"It's always a difficult decision to leave your home-town club and the team you supported as a youngster.

"I'm from a place called Townville, right near the Cas ground, and my amateur club was Lock Lane.

"We would quite often play at Wheldon Road before the Cas games or at half-time. As young lads we really enjoyed it and Waine Pryce and Danny Orr were my heroes back in the day.

"My dad also worked as the club mascot Tigerman, so it was an extra special feeling for me walking around because all the kids wanted pictures with him.

"I knew the man behind the costume was my dad and Castleford has a special place in my heart.

"But I think it's the right decision at this point in my life and my career to take up this opportunity at Bradford."

Clare is keen to play his part in helping Jimmy Lowes' men to promotion in the coming weeks.

The articulate 24-year-old said: "Speaking to all the Bradford players and meeting all the backroom staff, I genuinely feel the club deserves to go up.

"They are working so hard and promotion is such an achievable goal going into the Super 8s.

"When you look at the fixtures, I honestly feel every game is winnable.

"With the squad that Bradford have got and with what Jimmy is doing here, I think we're going to have a chance in every game.

"The games against Championship opposition are definitely winnable and Hull KR are low on confidence.

"A play-off mentality will be needed and we know we'll need to be on top of our game throughout the 80 minutes."

Denny Solomona and Justin Carney reduced Clare's first-team opportunities at Castleford this season and saw him sent to play for York on dual-registration.

He scored nine tries in seven appearances and remains grateful to York for the opportunity – but now he is gearing up for his Bradford debut in tomorrow's derby at Halifax.

"I've played with Vila Halafihi and Dan Fleming at Castleford and there are plenty of experienced Super League players here, both young and old," said Clare.

"It bodes well and it seems there is a real togetherness in the squad.

"Everyone seems willing to help each other and if you've got that off the field, then you're already halfway there on the field.

"When it comes to those important tackles or chasing a kick down, you know your friends have got your back."

Clare and his partner Kimberley recently bought their first house together in South Elmsall.

He said: "It's a really exciting time and it all seems to be coming together at the right time. Helping Bradford to promotion would be amazing."

Tomorrow's derby will not be for the faint-hearted but Care would love to be involved.

"I know Halifax and Bradford have a huge rivalry which goes back many years and it would be great to be a part of that," he said.

"Ben Johnston, who I played with in the Castleford academy and then made my first-team debut with, plays for Halifax and is a good mate. It would be great to play against him tomorrow."