‘Unfinished business’ for Lee Gaskell as he returns to former club following Wakefield release

Championship club Bradford Bulls have snapped up utility back Lee Gaskell on a permanent deal until the end of 2024 following his release from Super League side Wakefield Trinity.

Last week, the 32-year-old was released from his contract with Wakefield by mutual consent.

Gaskell, who made seven appearances for Trinity this season, will return to Bradford where he enjoyed a three-year spell between 2014-16.

On returning to Odsal, Gaskell said: “It is a massive honour to be here again. I really enjoyed my time here last time and I played some of the best rugby in my care.

“I feel I have unfinished business here and I am looking forward to it again”

“I’ve got to do what I feel is right and makes me happy and as soon as my agent said Bradford were interested and I spoke to Nobby (Brian Noble) and others at the club – it is a team moving forward, doing great things behind the scenes and also the lads on the pitch now five unbeaten.

“It is a really good chance for me to come here and work hard to earn a position in the team as there are some really talented players.

“Hopefully I can earn a spot and lead the boys around and be someone they can turn to in tough situations through my experience. I am really looking forward to it.

“There are high ambitions here and that’s one of the reasons I came. There were other offers but being at Bradford again really appealed to me.

“We have a shot with this team and quality to push for promotion and that is one of the things that appealed to me.

“I have unfinished business and the challenge excites me.

“I remember the Bradford fans at the Summer Bashes and making every game like a home game. They are still the same, very loyal fans who deserve more. Hopefully we can pay them back, get more numbers in and get a buzz around the town, have a big push around the play-offs and see what happens.”

Bradford Bulls boss delighted to pull off Lee Gaskell coup

Bulls’ football consultant Brian Noble has hailed the signing of Gaskell as a ‘real coup’, with the playmaker having made more than 200 career appearances for St Helens, Salford, Bradford, Huddersfield and Wakefield.

Noble said: “It is a real coup. We had a lot of competition for Lee’s signature and it is a measure of the hard work that goes on behind the scenes here at every level.

“Lee is a quality player, a Super League standard acquisition and the kind of person we need right now. I am absolutely thrilled and he will add a lot to this team.

“Quality acquisitions is what we are about if we can get them. Offensively he is very good, he knows how to play, knows what he wants to do, puts points on the board and makes passes.

“He is a big body, a big human but first and foremost a good bloke. We have signed a good character who will help the Bulls for the short, medium and long-term.

“It is the time of year when everyone is ramping up. We are still growing and Lee coming in helps with that growth, there is lots of improvement still in all of our players and come end of the season with a bit of luck and a fair wind we can play a part.

“We are still taking it one game at a time, still introducing people and we will introduce more people.

“It is really positive and we have a tough challenge this weekend in Toulouse who are unbeaten at home but we are really looking forward to it and are really positive.”

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