Hull Kingston Rovers have continued to strengthen their squad for next season with the addition of Bradford Bulls forward James Donaldson. The 22-year-old will link up with the Robins on a two-year contract from November and becomes the club’s fourth new signing for 2015.
A former England Schoolboys international, the back rower has racked up close to 70 Super League appearances for the Bulls but feels it’s the perfect time to be heading to the KC Lightstream Stadium.
He told www.hullkr.co.uk, “I feel like I’ve progressed a lot over the last few years but I know I’ve got a lot more to give. I feel the best place to do that is at Hull Kingston Rovers.
“I’ve been at Bradford for seven years now and I needed a new challenge. I’m ready to be taken out of my comfort zone and hopefully something fresh will spark me up. I’ll be working with new players, new coaches and new ideas, it’s a totally clean start for me to come here and I can’t wait for it.
“I’ve met with Chezzy and I’ve liked what he said. The strongest part of my game is my defence and Chezzy wants me to come here and help tighten the middle up a bit.
“At the same time, he wants me to play with the ball which I haven’t always had the opportunity to do over the past couple of years at Bradford. I’ll work hard in this off season on that and hopefully I’ll make some strides for next year.”
A product of the Wath Brow Hornets club, Cumbrian-born Donaldson joins Wigan centre Darrell Goulding and NRL duo Ken Sio and Josh Mantellato in linking up with the Robins for next season.
As Bradford’s top tackler this season and an important part of the Bulls pack since making his debut as a highly-rated teenager back in 2009, head coach Chris Chester says he will fit nicely into the Rovers squad for 2015.
He added: “James is exactly the sort of player that we want to bring to the club in that he is young, hungry and works very hard at his game.
“I would liken him to Scott Murrell in that he does all the little things that sometimes go unnoticed by supporters but that are always appreciated by coaches and teammates.
“He’s got a good engine on him, he plays big minutes and he doesn’t miss many tackles, so he’ll be a great fit for us.”
