Bradford Bulls saw off competition to secure the signing of exciting full-back Jack Walker on a one-year deal ahead of 2022.
The 23-year-old arrives at Odsal Stadium from Grand Finalists Leeds Rhinos.
Walker came through the Academy ranks at the Rhinos and made his senior bow in 2017, going on to start at full-back in their 2017 Grand Final victory over Castleford Tigers. He has since gone on to make over 80 appearances in the sport’s top tier for Leeds and Hull FC – where he enjoyed a loan spell at the end of the 2022 season.
Having also featured for England Knights, Walker spoke of his excitement to sign for Bradford at the time:
“The club’s going in the right direction, and I want to be a part of that, it’s a great club to sign for and when I’ve spoken to Mark (Dunning) it made my mind up, this is the club I want to play for, said Walker, who is available for sponsorship.
“I’m looking forward to working with Mark, he wants to stamp his own culture on this club and with the players he’s bringing in, it caught my eye and made me want to be a part of this club.
“I’ve got plenty of Super League experience in my time at Leeds and Hull, so I believe I can bring that know how to Bradford and impress the fans with how I play, Mark wants to give me the freedom when I play.
“In the past, I’ve been on the opposite end of the Bradford fans, so it will be good to have them cheering my name and I want to give my all for this club, it’s a proud moment for me.
“If I was to give a message to the fans, it would be that I can’t wait to get going and playing in front of the fans, they’re some of the best around and I want to help in putting a smile on their faces and getting the club back into Super League, where this club belongs.”
Now Walker’s surprise squad number has been confirmed as being the shirt number he won the 2017 Grand Final in back when he became the youngest ever Super League Champion – number 31.
Bradford Bulls 2023 squad numbers:
34 – MICKY HOYLE – Available For Sponsorship
33 – BRADLEY HO – Available For Sponsorship
32 – MARCUS GREEN – Sponsored by Mary Dellman
31 – JACK WALKER – Sponsored by Stuart Readyhough @ Maclean and Company Accountants
30 – JAYDEN MYERS – Sponsored by Yorkshire Exhaust Specialists
26 – GEORGE FLANAGAN JR – Sponsored by 39 Steps Consulting
25 – MYLES LAWFORD – Sponsored by TrustFord Bradford
22 – GEORGE ROBY – Available For Sponsorship
21 – FENTON ROGERS – Available For Sponsorship
20 – BILLY JOWITT – Sponsored by Lloretta-Claire Moorhouse
19 – MAX CLARKE – Sponsored by Sandy & Richard Monro
18 – KEVEN APPO – Sponsored by Roy Sunderland
17 – SAM SCOTT – Sponsored In Memory of the Trotter Family
16 – BRAD FOSTER – Sponsored by Ruth Rider, Darren and Gareth Rider-Smith
15 – AJ WALLACE – Sponsored by Martin, Ros and Ric Tonks
14 – EBON SCURR – Sponsored In Memory of Sheila McCormick / Bull-tech Solutions
13 – BODENE THOMPSON – Sponsored by J.L Osteopathy
12 – CHESTER BUTLER – Sponsored by Diane & John Butler
11 – BRAD ENGLAND – Sponsored by Ruth Rider, Darren and Gareth Rider-Smith
10 – MICHAEL LAWRENCE – Sponsored by EM Workwear & Embroidery
9 – GEORGE FLANAGAN SR – Sponsored by Captain Hornblower, Carol and Tony
8 – JORDAN BALDWINSON – Sponsored by Vicki & Graeme Sharp
7 – JORDAN LILLEY – Sponsored by 39 Steps Consulting
6 – DEC PATTON – Sponsored by GH Premier Consultancy
5 – DAVID FOGGIN-JOHNSTON – Sponsored by Anne Fish and Dave Green
4 – KIERAN GILL – Sponsored by John Hazell and William Shepherd
3 – JOE ARUNDEL – Sponsored by The Pitchside Crew
2 – BEN BLACKMORE – Available For Sponsorship
1 – TOM HOLMES – Sponsored by HF Wealth