Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce the signing of Joe Mellor on a one-year deal!
Mellor becomes the 14th new face in the Kurt Haggerty era – linking back up with his new head coach along with the likes of Jayden Nikorima, Ethan Ryan and Loghan Lewis.
Having come through the ranks at Wigan, Mellor debuted for Widnes Vikings, making 178 appearances, scoring 66 tries.
Three years at Leigh Leopards followed, playing a vital role as Adrian Lam’s side won the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup and Betfred Championship in 2022, before lifting the Betfred Challenge Cup in 2023.
Mellor then made the move to Salford Red Devils where he has spent the last two seasons, featuring as hooker as Paul Rowley’s side finished 4th in the 2024 Betfred Super League season.
Joe Mellor said:
“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."
“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.”
Bradford Bulls Head Coach Kurt Haggerty said:
“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.”
