BULLS star Kurt Haggerty is expected to retire from playing and join the coaching staff of the newly-formed Toronto Wolfpack.

The 27-year-old second-rower arrived at Odsal from Leigh last November on an initial one-year deal and emerged as a key figure during a turbulent campaign.

He particularly impressed against his former side when helping to create three tries in the dramatic late fightback which saw the Bulls earn a 32-32 home draw against the Centurions.

The skilful, tough-tackling forward – who also filled in at half-back during a defeat at London Broncos – then signed a two-year contract extension in May which tied him to the Bulls until the end of 2018.

However, former Leigh head coach Paul Rowley is keen to bring Haggerty onto his backroom staff as the Canadian outfit seek to make their mark on League One in 2017.

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.

The Recs dumped League One outfit London Skolars out of the Challenge Cup earlier this year to set up a plum fourth-round tie at home to Championship outfit Halifax.

They lost 78-0 to Richard Marshall's men at Langtree Park but Rowley is keen to utilise Haggerty's coaching ability as Toronto seek to become a force in the British game.

Meanwhile, utility Aussie forward Blake Leary, 25, is believed to be on the Bulls’ radar, having recently been released by Manly Sea Eagles.