Last Updated: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:28
Manly captain Matt Orford has agreed to join Super League side Bradford Bulls on a lucrative three-year deal.
The 31-year-old has been locked in talks with the Sea Eagles but could not agree on a deal and he will now continue his career in Yorkshire next season.
The New South Wales-born star began his career at the Northern Eagles before joining the Melbourne Storm in 2001 for a four-year stint, with a switch to the Sea Eagles in 2006.
The talented half-back captained the Sea Eagles in the 2008 NRL Grand Final victory over the Melbourne Storm and has now agreed to move to Bradford for a reported £840,000 over three seasons.
Orford admitted that the deal came as a bit of a shock but confessed that he always fancied plying his trade in the northern hemisphere a some stage of his career, with former team-mates Steve Menzies, Glenn Hall and Heath L'Estrange waiting to welcome him to Bradford.
"I'm glad I haven't had a lot of time to consider the switch," he said. "My manager came up with the deal, I thought about it and made the best decision for my immediate future.
"I always wanted to finish my career in England - this opportunity came earlier than expected but the chance to play with good friends at a club which is on the rise accelerated my decision."