BRADFORD BULLS have signed James Bell on a two-year deal from Hull FC – and the forward believes he will thrive under the tutelage of Kurt Haggerty.
Auckland-born Bell was given his first professional opportunity with New Zealand Warriors, impressing in a half-century of appearances for their reserve-grade side in the New South Wales Cup before making his NRL debut in 2017.
The 32-year-old, who first made the move to the northern hemisphere with Toulouse Olympique in 2019, adds more Super League experience to the Bulls, having now made over 120 appearances in the competition during spells with Leigh Leopards, St Helens, and most recently Hull.
With Saints, Bell won both the 2022 Super League Grand Final and 2023 World Club Challenge during a hugely successful four-year spell that also saw him earn a call-up to represent Scotland, for whom he qualifies through his family heritage, going on to feature at both the 2017 and 2021 World Cups.
The move to Odsal will see the versatile forward reunite with head coach Haggerty, who was previously assistant coach at Leigh, and he cannot wait to get going at his new club.
“It’s an exciting new chapter in my career,” explained Bell, who is the Bulls’ ninth signing ahead of their second season back in the top-flight.
“I get to reunite with Haggy [Haggerty]. We have built a good relationship over the years, so it is good to reconnect and see some old faces here including some of the New Zealand boys.
“It is an environment I think that is going to help me thrive, so I am excited for that.
“Haggy played a big role in my decision. He has always managed to get the best out of me and it’s an opportunity I wanted to explore, to be able to find my best footy again and I think this is the right environment for that.”
Haggerty believes Bell will slot perfectly into his squad, adding: “James is a fantastic signing for the Bradford Bulls.
“I know James and his family very well from our previous time working together and we have always stayed in touch. He is a great person who cares about the environment he works in.
“James is a specialist ball playing loose forward and suits our style of play perfectly.
“He is a highly skilled rugby player who defends well above his weight and I am really looking forward to working alongside him again.”
