Bradford Bulls have made a major play with the Odsal club announcing the signing of former academy product John Bateman with the NRL man set to make a return to Super League in 2027.
Bateman, an England international, came through the academy system at Bradford before joining Wigan and then heading to the NRL.
He’d make a brief return to Super League on two occasions, first in 2021 and 2022 and then again in 2024, but he now returns to his boyhood club in a massive move back to Bradford.
The Bulls made a statement when signing Ryan Sutton from the NRL last year and they’ll do so again with the return of Bateman, who they have confirmed has signed a two-year deal with the club holding the option of a third year.
It means that the 32-year-old will be playing at Odsal until at least the end of the 2028 season but possibly the end of the 2029 season, with Bateman becoming the Bulls’ third signing after recruiting Wigan’s Sam Eseh and Wakefield’s Cam Scott for 2027 and beyond.
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Bradford Bulls re-sign John Bateman for 2027
A club statement confirmed the return of Bateman with the England international one of several players to progress from the club’s impressive academy.
Speaking on the move, head coach Kurt Haggerty hailed Bateman’s signing as a sign of the club’s intent: “This is a statement of intent, it’s a signing that is going to make everyone stand up and look at what we are doing. John epitomises the strapline we have, ‘The Scrappers’ and I know when we go to Headingley next year you want people like John Bateman in your side, it’s a really big signing for the club.”
On Bateman’s Bradford connections, he said: “I’m extremely excited to be bringing John back to Bradford, it’s very much a full-circle move for him and we’re glad to have him back home.
“There’s still a lot of quality left in John, having had numerous conversations with him he’s really shown how much it means to play for Bradford Bulls and come home, it shows when you’re a local lad and you put the Bulls shirt on you get that extra 10% which is really important especially in big games.
“Having a Bradford DNA to our group was really important to me when I first came to the club. I sat down with the staff to identify players who are from Bradford or have played for Bradford previously and look at how we can bring them back or effectively bring them home.
“As soon as I saw John’s name, he was one of the first players I wanted to get back to Bradford so I am extremely happy to have him over the line. I am looking forward to working with him and he’s exactly what we need at this club. He’s tough, physical and is still a classy player.”
🤩 | That’s right, Bulls fans – he’s coming home!
🤝 | As revealed on our website at 6pm, we’re delighted to announce the signing of John Bateman on a two-year deal – and we hold the option of a third!
🙏 | With thanks to @bulls_squad for their support!
📲 | Full Details &… pic.twitter.com/JWZZgwNL0O
— Bradford Bulls (@OfficialBullsRL) August 4, 2026
