Rebel scrum half Matt Orford is no longer a Bull.

After four months of wrangling and rumour, the Aussie’s release was today confirmed, finally freeing him to sign for Canberra Raiders.

The NRL club have not paid a fee to secure Orford’s services, although it is believed the player will forfeit a fraction of the £100,000 wages he is still owed as part of the deal.

Initially, Bradford had wanted a six-figure sum as compensation for allowing the player to walk away from the final two years of a contract signed just 13 months ago.

But the Telegraph & Argus understands significant personal reasons cited by Orford eventually made it impossible to refuse a release and the board will have been keen to avoid potential legal action, especially as the effects of the costly Iestyn Harris saga are still being felt at Odsal.

Chairman Peter Hood said: “There are valid but strictly confidential reasons why Matt Orford is unable to return to the UK which were unknown to the club last summer when we agreed to his going home for surgery to his damaged shoulder, rather than have the operation here which would have been more usual.

“With the player’s permission these reasons have been shared in confidence with the RFL.

“I am pleased to confirm that we have agreed terms on which Matt’s registration will be released. The issues that previously existed are now ‘water under the bridge’ – both the club and the player can get on with the rest of their lives.

“The club is free to register a replacement player and Matt, who I understand has made a complete recovery from his shoulder operation, can resume his career in Australia.”

Despite arriving from Manly amid significant fanfare a year ago, the former Dally M Medallist quickly turned out to be an expensive mistake.

Orford made just 14 appearances in England before a shoulder injury suffered in the Magic Weekend defeat to Crusaders put a premature end to his campaign.

May’s Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat to Warrington was the last time he donned the red, amber and black before undergoing shoulder reconstruction surgery.

Speculation heightened over Orford’s future when he returned to Sydney to continue his rehabilitation but he only officially requested a release in November and negotiations had appeared deadlocked until just last week.

The player was unveiled by Canberra on Wednesday and terms on his departure were agreed quickly after.

Bradford can now step up their search for further recruits, with boss Mick Potter still keen to add to his squad ahead of the new campaign.

So far 11 new faces have been added to an overhauled squad but there is significant room available under the salary cap and a free overseas quota spot, which could be used to attract talent from down under.