Hometown hero Dave Halley today pledged his future to the Bulls.
The in-form full back has signed a two-year deal to become the latest player to commit at Odsal.
Andy Lynch was the first last week and boss Steve McNamara has now secured the signature of another of his most valuable assets.
Halley’s current deal is up at the end of the season and his eye-catching form since returning from a loan spell with Wakefield has caught the eye of many Super League admirers.
But he said: “I always wanted to stay at Bradford and didn’t want to go anywhere else.
“I think I’ve improved and developed every year under Steve and the coaching staff here.
“I’m really pleased to have got it sorted and am now looking forward to the rest of this year and two more to come.”
Halley, 22, admitted he never envisaged being in this position a few months ago when he was farmed out on loan to Wildcats.
But he buckled down, returned and wrestled the full back’s role off Michael Platt to emerge as one of the competition’s most exciting attacking exponents.
“The work’s starting to pay off now,” Halley explained. “I knew Steve wanted me to get my fitness and strength up and that has really helped.
“But he’s given me the confidence to play full back as well and I’m really enjoying it.
“I’m finding plenty of space on the field at the moment but that comes down to the team; you find gaps when everyone is working together and we’re doing that.”
The news is a big boost ahead of Sunday’s Odsal showdown with St Helens and McNamara admitted: “I’m highly delighted Dave’s staying.
“His form over the last couple of months has been outstanding and it’s no coincidence his performance in practice has been first class.
“He’s still quite young and there’s areas of his game we need to work on but he has become a vital member of our side.
“Dave’s blessed with blistering pace and speed which kills opponents.
“He fully deserves this and it shows if you work hard you will be rewarded.”
- Meanwhile, Super League clubs yesterday agreed to maintain the salary cap at £1.65 million for the 2010 season following a meeting of club officials this week.
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