Bradford Bulls have confirmed that full-back Caleb Aekins has signed a new deal with the club just days after making his 150th career appearance.
Aekins is the only Bradford player to remain ever-present so far in 2026 with the off-season signing a shining light in what has been an injury-impacted year so far for the Bulls.
Head coach Kurt Haggerty was singing the praises of the New Zealand-born Welsh international last week, and after another solid performance in the defeat to Warrington, it’s no surprise to see the full-back handed a new deal.
The 28-year-old has been handed a fresh one-year contract extension, tying him to the club until the end of the 2027 season and ensuring that he is one of those on the plane to Las Vegas next year when the Bulls take Super League stateside.
Aekins’ new deal marks the Bulls’ latest piece of retention after they recently tied down winger Connor Wynne and veteran Joe Mellor to new deals, with both men signing fresh one-year deals this past month.
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Bradford Bulls re-sign Caleb Aekins after impressive start to life in Super League
Despite featuring in the NRL for a number of seasons and then impressing in the Championship, the 2026 season marks the first venture into Super League for Aekins but he’s taken to life in the top flight brilliantly.
He has two tries to date and six assists but his last-gasp defensive efforts have also caught the attention with the full-back among the most consistent performers at the club.
“I’m over the moon with it, I am really happy to be staying here another year,” Aekins said of his new deal.
“I felt quite comfortable coming in at the start of the year, everyone made me feel welcome from the players and the staff here.
“The one thing coming here I knew I had to prove myself again and I think I have taken a step in the right direction there but I’ve still got a long way to go and I am just happy to be hanging around for another year.”
Aekins, like half-back recruit Jayden Nikorima, is flourishing in the Kurt Haggerty style of play and that’s something the 28-year-old spoke about upon signing his new deal.
“I am loving the style of play, it’s quite expansive and very fun to play when it does come off I think it’ll be even better once we get some boys back in the coming weeks.
“Sorting my future takes the pressure off, I know what I am doing next year and my family are happy here, that’s another thing I have boxed off and now I can look forward to the future with this team.”
As for the Odsal faithful, Aekins has called on the Bulls fans to remain loud and proud: “I’ve loved having the Bradford fans behind me, over the last few years I’ve been on the other side of things so it’s good to have them behind me, they bring the noise and it’s very noticeable out on the field and they get us through the tough moments.”
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— Bradford Bulls (@OfficialBullsRL) May 27, 2026
