Bateman to return to the Bulls for 2027

Bradford Bulls have announced John Bateman has signed a two-year deal from the start of the 2027 season with the club holding the option of a third year.

Having come through the club’s famed pathway system, Bateman made his Bulls debut aged just 17, against Catalans Dragons in 2011. After three years in the red, amber and black, John made the move to Wigan Warriors where he won two Super League titles and a World Club Challenge, with his impressive form earning him a move to the NRL’s Canberra Raiders.

After a Grand Final appearance down under, John returned to the Warriors in 2022 playing a key role in their Challenge Cup triumph before further spells with Wests Tigers and North Queensland Cowboys.

Alongside his incredible club career, the Bradford-born star has made 31 international appearances for England and Great Britain, captaining the former in 2021. 

Speaking to Bradfordbulls.co.uk John Bateman, 32, said:

“It is pretty surreal, this is something I’ve wanted to do in my career but in the back of my mind I didn’t think I would get the chance. When Bradford got promoted back to Super League, coming back was something I wanted to make happen and having spoken to Jason and Kurt over the last few months, it made the decision a lot easier and now to have got it over the line in the last couple of days is a great feeling.

“It gives me goosebumps thinking about running back out at Bartercard Odsal, it’s been a long time since I did that in a Bradford shirt and I am just excited to be a part of the project that Kurt and Jason are building. I am looking to give as much as I can to the club and the city, I am a Bradford lad and this city means more to me than anything.

“I am at a different stage of my career now, I have been the kid in the team so I am looking to give some of my experience and knowledge to the younger players and work together with the more senior blokes. Emotion aside, first and foremost I am a winner and that’s why I’ve come back. I want to win games, I want us to finish in the top 6 and play big games, I want the club to be back in big games, I want the city to pack out Odsal watching big games. My aim is to put my best foot forward for the team and play my best rugby.”

Bradford Bulls Head Coach Kurt Haggerty, said: 

“I’m extremely excited to be bringing John back to Bradford, it’s very much a full-circle move for him and we’re glad to have him back home. There’s still a lot of quality left in John, having had numerous conversations with him he’s really shown how much it means to play for Bradford Bulls and come home, it shows when you’re a local lad and you put the Bulls shirt on you get that extra 10% which is really important especially in big games.

“Having a Bradford DNA to our group was really important to me when I first came to the club. I sat down with the staff to identify players who are from Bradford or have played for Bradford previously and look at how we can bring them back or effectively bring them home. As soon as I saw John’s name, he was one of the first players I wanted to get back to Bradford so I am extremely happy to have him over the line. I am looking forward to working with him and he’s exactly what we need at this club. He’s tough, physical and is still a classy player.

“This is a statement of intent, it’s a signing that is going to make everyone stand up and look at what we are doing. John epitomises the strapline we have, ‘The Scrappers’ and I know when we go to Headingley next year you want people like John Bateman in your side, it’s a really big signing for the club.

“The need for more leadership and experience is something I identified in our recruitment meetings, so having a player of John’s calibre, who has played in some very big games such as Grand Finals and Challenge Cup finals – he is exactly what we need.”