Bradford Bulls have signed Hull KR forward Leon Ruan as they continue their preparations for their first season back in Super League.
Ruan has joined on an initial season long loan deal but the back-rower will make the permanent move to Odsal for 2027, with Bradford confirming that deal is in place.
The forward spent one season with Rovers after impressing during a pre-season trial ahead of the 2025 campaign. However, he failed to make a senior appearance for the Robins with his only action last season coming while out on loan at Featherstone Rovers and Salford Red Devils, making five appearances for the latter.
Ruan came through the youth system at Wakefield Trinity but started his senior career with Doncaster before making tHe move to Leeds Rhinos in 2023. He made 11 appearances for the Rhinos while he also spent time on loan at Bradford during his first year at Headingley.
He had loans at Halifax Panthers and Hull FC in 2024 before eventually joining KR. And, he will be keen to catch the eye of Kurt Haggerty enough to pick up some valuable Super League minutes.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity for me to show what I can do by bringing my energy and effort levels to push for a spot in the team,” Ruan said. “I just want to compete hard that is the main thing and try win everything I can, I want to put my best foot forward for the fans, the club and for myself.
“I know Eribe [Doro] from last season, he competes hard and plays hard and knowing some of the guys from Salford too like Rowan Milnes, Esan Marsters and Jayden Nikorima, that will make my transition a bit easier too. There is a lot of quality in the team, so I am excited to get going and hopefully add to that and push for my spot in the team.
“Being at Hull KR, especially for the last year I have learned a lot in terms of competing and fitness and although I didn’t play too much I learned a lot about myself behind the scenes and how I want to act and impose myself. I am a completely different player to the last time I was at the Bulls and getting experience at other clubs has helped me move forward.”
Head coach Haggerty said: “I like the style of rugby Leon plays, he’s a big body who’s got good leg speed, he can break tackles and he also works really hard defensively. He fits the bill for what we’re looking for in a Bradford Bulls player and I am really excited to have him on board.
“He’s been at some very big clubs in Leeds and Hull KR so he knows what a winning environment looks like. To bring him in here and hopefully get him more game time than he’s had previously will only help him and help us as a team.
“Having spoken to him he knows the process he has to go through to get into our 17, but I see him as a back rower who can play in the middle so he adds versatility, he’s chomping at the bit to get going with the Bradford Bulls.”
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