Bradford Bulls have made a double swoop, securing the services of Super League stars James Clare and Matt Ryan.
Winger Clare arrives fromCastleford Tigers and has agreed a deal that will keep him at the Provident Stadium until the end of next season.
Backrower Ryan has signed until the end of this season after being released by Wakefield Trinity Wildcats earlier this week.
Clare, 24, has scored 24 tries in 38 appearances for his hometown club Castleford.
He made his first-team debut in 2012 and scored four tries against local rivals Wakefield Wildcats the following year.
The former Lock Lane amateur has recently completed a loan spell with York City Knights, where he scored nine tries in seven appearances.
Clare, who can play anywhere in the outside backs, will don the number 35 shirt and goes straight into contention to face Halifax on Sunday.
“I am really excited to be here,” said Clare.
“I met James (Lowes) last week and he did not really have to sell the club to me.
“From the outside you could see what is going on here and what Bradford are trying to build.
“It is going to be a fresh start for me and hopefully I can play a part in getting the club back into Super League.
“I would really like to be involved at Halifax this weekend.
“Hopefully I can put my foot in the door and try to hold on to a shirt for the Super 8s.”
Ryan, 27, made 37 appearances in two seasons at Belle Vue, scoring six tries.
Before coming to Super League, the 6ft 6ins Australian made 24 NRL appearances for Parramatta Eels and was selected for the Prime Minister’s XIII after an impressive debut season in 2012.
Ryan, who can also play in the front-row and at centre, will wear the number 36 jersey.
“I got the opportunity to come here and could not say no,” said Ryan.
“It is a great club with plenty of history.
“I am here to do a job for Bradford and, hopefully, get them promoted to Super League.
“There is definitely a winning atmosphere about the place and such confidence will help us going into the Super 8s.”
Bulls coach James Lowes is delighted to have added two proven Super League players to his roster, as the Bulls ready themselves for the crucial part of the season.
“Both have good Super League experience and I think that is going to be important heading into the Super 8s,” said Lowes.
“James is going to have a long future in the game.
“He is a finisher with great pace and, when he became available, we grabbed him.
“Matt had a great season with Wakefield last year and has got a few Super League games under his belt.
“He offers us fantastic cover, both in the back-row and in the centres.
“You want competition for places and they should certainly lift what we are doing in training.”
The Bulls have also confirmed that Lee Gaskell, Jake Mullaney and Harry Siejka are all back in full training and will be back in contention for the start of the Super 8s.
