SHEFFIELD EAGLES centre Kieran Gill wants to bring a little bit of Bradford to his new club while taking his career in a fresh direction.
The 30-year-old ended a four-year stint with the Bulls to pen a two-year contract at Sheffield, with halfback or hooker Jordan Lilley making the same move, also on a deal to 2027.
The pair helped Bradford, with whom Sheffield recently had an opposed training session, finish third in the Championship for three seasons in succession.
And Gill, who started out at Castleford and has also played for Newcastle Thunder, sees no reason why new-look Sheffield shouldn’t be a strong contender in the revamped second tier.
After a tough first season and a disappointing eleventh-place Championship finish, coach Craig Lingard has rung the changes.
And Gill, who scored 15 tries in 23 games for the Bulls last season, said: “Jordan and I were in the Bradford sides who were in and around the top end, and we want to strive for success here.
“When I first spoke to Craig about signing, I liked what he had to say about goals and objectives, and I share them.
“I’ve built up a bit of experience, and I want to come here and be a bit of a leader within the group.
“We have bonded well so far, we are all buying into the way Craig wants to do things, and we are excited to see what we can do.”
Former Leeds player Lilley, 29, was with the Bulls for seven years (following two loan spells), and made 31 appearances for them last season.
“It’s a new challenge for me coming somewhere different with new coaches, new teammates and new fans,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to embracing the challenge and seeing where we can go.”
Sheffield have confirmed their Challenge Cup second-round tie against Whitehaven, their opening Championship opponents in Cumbria the previous Sunday, will be at the Steel City Stadium on Saturday, January 24 (2.30pm).
The Eagles are considering taking some home fixtures to the MEPS International Home Of Football Stadium of non-league football club Sheffield FC in Dronfield, seven miles away.