Former Salford Red Devils man Joe Mellor has become Bradford Bulls’ 14th signing ahead of their return to Super League.
Mellor has signed a one-year deal with the Bulls, ensuring he will be with the West Yorkshire club until the end of the 2026 Super League season at least. He joins his former teammates Jayden Nikorima, Ethan Ryan and Loghan Lewis at Odsal and he will also be working under former Salford assistant coach Kurt Haggerty, who will be leading the Bulls into the new season.
The 35-year-old adds plenty of top flight experience to the Bulls squad, having spent time in the top flight with Wigan Warriors, Widnes Vikings, Toronto Wolfpack, Leigh Centurions and Salford, of course.
Mellor made just three appearances for the Warriors, where he started his career before moving on to join Widnes on an initial loan in 2011. He made that move permanent ahead of the 2013 season.
He spent six seasons with as a full-time Vikings player and made 177 outings for the club before moving on. His recent spell with Salford lasted just two seasons, with the playmaker making 33 outings.
Bradford are already stacked for talent in the halves, meaning Mellor can expect to share the hooker role with fellow new recruit Andy Ackers through 2026.
Joe Mellor seals Salford Red Devils exit
“It’s good to be here, it’s a really exciting time, with the squad that has been put together it is nice to know a lot of the lads already here and I am looking forward to getting to know everyone,” Mellor told the club.
“It’s exciting times for the whole club, it’s exciting to be back in Super League and I wanted to stay in Super League as I still feel I have got a lot to offer.
“Kurt being here was a massive draw, he knows how I like to play and I know the style of rugby he wants to play and having so many players familiar with him and his brand of rugby will certainly help.
“For the lads making the step up it is a big step up to go from training 2/3 times a week and working to training full time, the lads have been talking about the intensity of training and the wrestle sessions but the step up is what was needed to get ready for Super League.
“On a personal level I just go about my business I am not a shouter, I train hard and try lead by example and if people follow me that’s good but I won’t be rallying everyone I just do what I do and see where it takes me.
“Everyone is working towards that first game, having now seen the fixtures we are away from home first and then we have couple of games after at home which will be massive for the fans to turn up knowing we’re back in Super League it is really exciting.”
Head coach Haggerty added: “I’ve worked with Joe at nearly every club I’ve been to and I’ve pushed to get him at every club I’ve been to because he understands the style of play I want. He is a fantastic person, the ultimate competitor and a very good, established Super League player. He can play in multiple positions and he knows my style, he is almost a Mr fix it who can play 6, 7 or 9, you could put him at full-back and he’ll do a first class job.
“He has won numerous Super League games, he won the Challenge Cup a few years ago so this is a really big signing, a very important signing for us. He’s a player that probably goes under the radar, he is probably undervalued but he is someone I think highly of and I think he is a fantastic player.”
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