BRADFORD Bulls have seen off competition to secure the signing of exciting full-back Jack Walker on a one-year deal from famous old rivals Leeds Rhinos.

The 23-year-old arrives at Odsal Stadium from the 2022 Super League Grand Finalists, and the club have thanked the Bradford Bulls Squad Booster Association for their support in securing Walker’s signature.

Walker came through the academy ranks at the Rhinos and made his senior bow in 2017, going on to start at full-back in their 2017 Grand Final victory over Castleford Tigers.

He has since gone on to make over 80 appearances in the sport’s top tier for Leeds and Hull FC – enjoying a loan spell at the latter earlier this year.

Having also featured for England Knights, Walker has spoken of his excitement at signing for Bradford.

He said: “The club’s going in the right direction, and I want to be a part of that.

“It’s a great club to sign for and when I spoke to (Bulls head coach) Mark Dunning, it made my mind up that this is the club I want to play for.

“I’m looking forward to working with Mark, he wants to stamp his own culture on this club and with the players he’s bringing in, it caught my eye and made me want to be a part of things here.

“I’ve got plenty of Super League experience from my time at Leeds and Hull, so I believe I can bring that knowhow to Bradford and impress the fans with how I play.

“Mark wants to give me freedom when I play too.

“In the past, I’ve been on the opposite end of the Bradford fans, so it will be good to have them cheering my name and I want to give my all for this club. It’s a proud moment for me.

“If I was to give a message to the fans, it would be that I can’t wait to get going and playing in front of the fans.

“They’re some of the best around and I want to help in putting a smile on their faces and getting the club back into Super League, where it belongs.”

Bulls head coach Dunning has hailed Walker’s capture as a significant coup for the club – insisting the full-back ticks all of the relevant boxes ahead of 2023.

He said: “I am really delighted, it is a deal we have been trying to do for a few months.

“We identified Jack a long time ago and knew he would add to our group, so I am delighted we have got the deal done.

“He will bring experience, quality and a real calmness.

“The biggest thing I can say is that he is 100 per cent fully committed and really excited to get into pre-season and meet the boys.

“The energy his signing will bring will lift the group.

“It is a good sign that the club can attract a player of Jack’s calibre.

“I’ve had a number of meetings with Jack and he is excited by the project here, he has 100 per cent bought into what we are trying to do.

“Jack is Super League quality, there is no doubt about that.

“He has the desire to play Super League again and now his number one preference is to do that in a Bradford Bulls shirt, so he ticks all the boxes in that regard.

“There are a number of plates spinning at the moment like Jack, and hopefully more will fall into place soon.

“The supporters have been really patient and have been wanting a signing like this, so this is the first one of hopefully a few more deals like this to come.”