Bell signs for the Bulls

Bradford Bulls have announced the signing of utility forward James Bell on a two-year deal from Hull FC.

Bell made his NRL debut for New Zealand Warriors in 2017, having featured over 50 times for this New South Wales Cup outfit, before making the move to the northern hemisphere with Toulouse Olympique in 2019.

The New-Zealand born star has since made over 120 appearances in Super League with spells at Leigh Leopards, St Helens and the Airlie Birds – with Bell winning the 2022 Super League Grand Final and 2023 World Club Challenge in the Red Vee. 

James Bell, said:

“It’s an exciting new chapter in my career, I get to reunite with Haggy [Kurt 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. 

“He has unlocked my potential a couple of times throughout my career and I think he is going to do it again and that comes with a lot of hard work that I am going to put in throughout pre-season to get fit enough to play that role for him. The opportunity excites me and there’s a lot of players around here with skill and I’m just going to add a little bit of what I can do to an already good team.”

Bradford boss Kurt Haggerty, said:

“James Bell is a fantastic signing for the Bradford Bulls. Firstly, 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 James again.”