BRADFORD Bulls have announced that academy prop Bailey Arnold has signed a professional contract with the club.

Arnold has signed a professional contract with the club after a string of impressive performances, most recently against Leeds Rhinos after receiving a call up to the Yorkshire Academy Origin squad.

The youngster is one of a number of talented players to come through the Bradford Bulls academy system in recent years, following in the footsteps of Thomas Doyle and Ebon Scurr.

Bailey's community club was Birkenshaw Blue Dogs, who recently held a community takeover day at the club.

Interim head coach Mark Dunning has hailed the professional signing of Arnold, saying: "Bailey is an outstanding talent, typified by his Yorkshire academy squad selection recently, and one I'm really happy the club has signed up for the next few years.

"It shows the commitment the club has to keeping our young talent, and our plan is to integrate them in to first team when their journeys determine they are ready.

"The club's academy has been and continues to be vastly important, and to have talents such as Bailey signed up is a real bonus for us."

Academy head coach Leigh Beattie also commented on the signing of Arnold to a professional contract, saying: "I've watched Bailey for a number of years and seen him grow his game to the stage he's at now and it's been a real pleasure, he's a really good lad and I'm delighted for him.

"His application and dedication both on and off the field has been second to none, and I'm looking forward to seeing how he progresses for the next few years with a genuine pathway in front of him.

"He has a big future ahead of him."