
Former Castleford Tigers, Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls man Daniel Smith has announced his retirement from rugby league.
Despite having a year left to run on his contract at Odsal, the 31-year-old left the Bulls by mutual consent at the end of last season due to work commitments. And, as the new season rapidly approaches, he has made the decision to call time on his career and hang up his boots.
The decision comes after making more than 200 appearances during 13 years in the professional game. Smith started his career with Leeds Rhinos and spent 2012 as a senior squad member at Headingley but his only first-team outings that season came in the colours of Oldham. He joined South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2013 and made 24 appearances in the club’s youth ranks before penning terms with Wakefield Trinity in 2014.
Huddersfield Giants signed him in July 2015 where he made 50 appearances, with game time also coming during loans at Oldham and Featherstone Rovers. A move to Castleford came about in 2019 and he made 75 outings in black and amber, including an appearance in the 2021 Challenge Cup final.
He went on to spend a season with Featherstone before spending the final year of his playing days with Bradford in the Championship.
“So the day has finally come to announce my retirement from rugby league,” Smith said in a statement posted on social media by Bradford Bulls. “This game has given me so many memories and playing professionally has been a dream of mine since I started playing at 5 years old.
👏 | Congratulations to ex-Bull @smithdaniel1 on a stellar career – having last night announced his retirement from Rugby League!
🤝 | Thanks for your efforts as a Bull and we wish you the best of luck with whatever comes next!#StrengthInNumbers pic.twitter.com/0yabt5Fs4W
— Bradford Bulls (@OfficialBullsRL) January 23, 2025
“I spent an amazing year in Australia, played for my hometown club, Castleford, and got to play a Challenge Cup final with them at Wembley in 2021. It also gave a chance to play with, and against my brother Cameron.
“I have met some great people and made life long friends along the way.
“I would like to thank every club I’ve been part of, players, staff, fans, my agent, @SMTMUK and mostly my family who have supported me every step of the way and helped me on my journey.”
