THE Bulls have recruited well because they held their nerve, John Kear today insisted.

Levy Nzoungou’s arrival next month will make it five new faces in the Bradford squad with further loan signing set to follow.

Having been held back while the club were in special measures, Kear has been delighted with the calibre of players the Bulls have been able to attract – and stressed it was down to not rushing in as they played catch-up on other clubs.

He said: “We haven’t panicked. We’ve held our nerve, which I’m dead chuffed about, and because of that we’ve got some real quality.

“People just had to be patient. It isn’t as easy as saying, ‘Do you want to play for Bradford’ and the player saying, ‘Yeah’.

“There’s agents, salaries, due diligence you’ve got to carry out, you’ve got to get a feel for the player when you chat to him. Loads of things have got to take place alongside doing the regular work of coaching the side in pre-season.”

Imposing forward Nzoungou follows Adam Rooks, Sam Barlow, Anthony England and Greg Johnson to the club while Rowan Milnes has also returned on a season-long loan after joining Hull KR.

Kear’s squad will be smaller than last year but he is happy that the numbers are stacking up.

“When Levi signs that will be 20 established players and some very good emerging talent in the reserves and then it will be time to leave it be and just look at loans or dual-reg after that,” he added.

“It’s much different to when I was speaking to people six weeks ago.

“I think we’re looking like a very good forward pack and they all offer something different.

“I know we’ve got two really good pivots and some strike in the three quarters. We’re just growing nicely.”

Kear remains in talks with three Super League clubs over a potential dual-reg deal. A decision is expected over the next week or so although he has already made it clear that the Bulls would go without one if the fit “doesn’t feel right”.

A block loan deal with one club is being sorted for the new year but Kear is keen to ensure the door remains open for the promising youngsters coming through the Bulls academy system.

“The only way we’ll bring people in is if we feel they are better than what we’ve got,” he said.

“It’s a real simple philosophy but a very effective one. They’ve got to be better and they’ve got to be affordable and people respect that scenario.

“I’m still speaking to three clubs about dual-reg. If we feel we’ll get some benefit and so do the other club then we’ll do it, if not we won’t.”