BRADFORD Bulls have tonight agreed the sale of shares in the club to a new consortium, who have appointed founder of the Toronto Wolfpack Eric Perez as interim chairman.

The investors in the consortium are the family of Nigel Wood - the chief executive of the Rugby League International Federation - and Dewsbury chairman Mark Sawyer.

As a result, the Bulls have come out of special measures and can now sign players for the 2020 season.

The move was officially announced at a Bulls fans’ forum at Dewsbury tonight.

The RFL statement said: ‘The RFL can confirm that the club’s operating budget for 2020 has been agreed. This means the element of special measures that restricts the registration of player contracts has been lifted."

As part of the club’s sale, Ottawa Stags president Perez has been named as the Bulls’ new chairman, who will succeed Andrew Chalmers for an interim period.

Perez bought the license for League One Hemel Stags and is in the process of relocating the club in Ottawa, Canada, who are due to enter League One in 2021.

The Canadian, who said he was a good friend of Nigel Wood, said:” It’s an honour to be working with an iconic brand like the Bradford Bulls.

“I am here on an interim basis to facilitate the transition between the new ownership and the old regime.

“I have been given special dispensation from the RFL to take on the interim chairmanship as Hemel is dormant for the 2020 season, and this in no way undermines the Ottawa club that is slated to enter League One in 2021.”

More to follow