Catalan win race for Elliott Whitehead

Catalan have signed forward Elliot Whitehead from Bradford for an undisclosed fee.

Whitehead, 23, handed in a transfer request earlier this month and was placed on leave by the Bulls, for who has made 100 Super League appearances.

Salford were keen to sign the back-rower, and had agreed a fee with Bradford, but Whitehead, who had previously stated an ambition to play for a top-four club, has now penned a two-and-a-half year deal with the Dragons.

Catalan coach Laurent Frayssinous said: “It’s a really good news for the end of the season because Elliot will bring enthusiasm and competition into the squad but also for the future because he is a young quality player.

“Elliot is a Super League rising star. He shares our project and our ambitions and his determination to join the club strengthen our choice to sign him.”

A former West Bowling amateur, Whitehead made his Bradford debut in 2009 at the age of 19.

His last appearance for his hometown club came in the 28-18 defeat against Hull KR at the start of June.

Dragons chief executive Christophe Jouffret said: “We have many players sidelined for long term period and we consider the option to sign a short term player until the end of the season. But the opportunity to sign Elliot on a two and a half year deal was more interesting for the club.

“The discussions with the Bulls were really longer than those with the player, who give us his agreement when I met him last weekend.”