Bradford Bulls have announced their third signing for 2026, as they continue to build their squad ahead of their return to Super League.
The Bulls, who finished 10th in the IMG gradings and therefore earned an automatic place in the top flight, have already brought Leeds Rhinos hooker Andy Ackers and Hull KR half-back Rowan Milnes to the club, as new boss Kurt Haggerty moulds a squad together that is capable of being able to compete in Super League.
Other changes at the Bulls include the departures of at least seven players, with Chris Hill and Michael Lawrence retiring and a further five exiting Odsal Stadium due to them not being offered a new contract.
One of those players they have decided to replace the outgoing septet with is Ethan Ryan. The 29-year-old winger will return to the club he made his senior debut at, after coming through the club’s academy in 2016.
Ryan spent four seasons at the Bulls, before a move to Hull KR ahead of 2020 saw him exit Odsal Stadium. Hewas one of six Bulls players that off-season to make the switch from Bradford to the Robins, with current KR captain Elliot Minchella one of that group.
Spending four years at the Robins, he left Craven Park ahead of 2024 to join Salford Red Devils. Financial difficulties this year forced Ryan to exit the club, and he ended up at Oldham for the remainder of the year, where he scored two tries in four appearances.
New Bradford Bulls signing believes the club’s Super League return is “massive for the sport”
Speaking on his return to the Bulls, Ryan revealed he had grown up watching the club and now being able to play in Super League is a great achievement.
“I watched the club as a Season Ticket holder in Super League but never got the chance to play for the club in Super League so it’s massive for Bradford and massive for the sport as a whole,” he said.
“I left the club to take on a challenge in Super League, I was in the Bradford set up from being a kid to when I was in the First Team and something I always wanted to do was play Super League with the Bulls.
“The whole point of leaving Bradford when I did was to challenge myself and develop and that’s something I’ve definitely done. I was at Hull KR for four years, crossed to Salford for another two so I’ve learned a lot in that time away and I’ve grown as a person and as a player.”
Ryan played against his boyhood club in the Challenge Cup earlier this year, in what was the first time he had faced the Bulls as a player. Admitting that the feeling he got was a unique one, he can’t wait to be back playing for the Odsal faithful, rather than against them.
He said: “It was a bit surreal to play against Bradford in March as it was my first time doing so, but it was nice to see the fans singing my name as I felt like I got on with them well when I was last at the club. I always put in 100 percent for the club and the badge and hopefully I can come pick up where I left off. Hopefully there’s going to be lots of fans back in love with the club and that this news can sort of unite a city and bring everyone back together.”
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