JOE MELLOR has been appointed Bradford Bulls captain for their return to Super League.
The hugely experienced 35-year-old has been chosen by head coach Kurt Haggerty after both moved to Bradford from Salford Red Devils.
He replaces Michael Lawrence, who retired at the end of last season after three years as skipper.
“I got emotional when Kurt told me,” said Mellor, who also counts Widnes and Leigh among former clubs.
“The club did a video in a team meeting and announced it to the group but Kurt told me couple of days before that and it’s massive for me.
“I have been in and around leadership groups all my career but to be made captain at such an exciting time for the club is massive.”
Two other new signings have been named vice-captains, in Jayden Nikorima – also from Salford – and Ryan Sutton, the former England international who has returned to Super League from Canterbury Bulldogs.
Nikorima said: “Leadership has never been in my eyesight but coming here I wanted a fresh start – being around the boys has made me a better person and hopefully that shows out on the field.
Sutton, whose last top-grade game came in 2023 due to a series of injuries, added: “It has been a rocky journey for the last two years especially, so when Kurt told me I nearly cried to be honest.
“I have wanted to be a leader for a long time. I wear my heart on my sleeve in every game I play, and I want to do that for the boys and the fans.”
Bradford have also revealed their squad numbers, with 12 new signings in the top 17.
They are Caleb Aekins (1), Esan Marsters (3), Ethan Ryan (5), Nikorima (6), Rowan Milnes (7), Sutton (8), Andy Ackers (9), Loghan Lewis (10), Dan Russell (11), Mellor (13), Eribe Doro (15) and Ed Chamberlain (17).
Meanwhile, Connor Wynne takes the number 23, and former Hull KR forward Leon Ruan is number 30.
Bradford squad numbers: 1 Caleb Aekins, 2 Jayden Okunbor, 3 Esan Marsters, 4 Waqa Blake, 5 Ethan Ryan, 6 Jayden Nikorima, 7 Rowan Milnes, 8 Ryan Sutton, 9 Andy Ackers, 10 Loghan Lewis, 11 Dan Russell, 12 Zac Fulton, 13 Joe Mellor, 14 Mitch Souter, 15 Eribe Doro, 16 Ebon Scurr, 17 Ed Chamberlain, 18 Joe Keyes, 19 Will Gardiner, 20 Brandon Douglas, 21 Sam Hallas, 22 Luke Hooley, 23 Connor Wynne, 24 Guy Armitage, 25 Eliot Peposhi, 26 Ronan Michael, 27 Alfie Leake, 28 Jamie Gill, 29 Cameron Bate, 30 Leon Ruan.