Bradford Bulls have received a massive boost with the news that Great Britain prop Stuart Fielden has signed a new five-year contract.

His existing deal was due to run out at the end of this season.

But that has now been torn up and replaced by a contract which means that front-rower Fielden (pictured) will remain at Odsal until the end of the 2007

season.

The 23-year-old, who was last month named in Rugby League World magazine's World XIII, has been prominent in Test matches against both Australia and New Zealand over the past 14 months.

'Fearless', who is based in Sowerby, has attracted interest from clubs on both sides of the world, and his decision to re-sign is a major coup for the World Club champions.

Fielden, capped seven times by Great Britain, is delighted to commit himself to Odsal, and said: "I feel that Bradford Bulls are the best club in the game and I reckon that we are moving in the right direction.

"Odsal Stadium will be fully finished in about two years, and marketing and development are on an upward curve too."

He added: "We have been a force in Super League so far and I don't see any reason why it won't stay that way.

"The decision to commit myself until 2007 gives me stability and the opportunity to continue the progress I have made since I joined the club as a junior in 1996."

Bulls coach Brian Noble is equally thrilled with Fielden's decision to remain with the club: "It has been an ambition of mine to secure his signature and I am delighted that he has committed himself to the club for the next five years.

"He was a much sought-after commodity on a world-wide front and the club has moved mountains to retain his services.

"I have known him since he was 15 years old and he has developed into a truly world-class player, and it is very exciting to know we have him playing for us for the next five years.

"Stuart feels, and we feel too, that the Bulls will be at the forefront of the game for a few years to come."

Noble feels that Fielden's status as one of the world's leading props has only grown since October, 2001.

The Great Britain assistant coach said: "He had a fantastic series against Australia in 2001 and a fantastic series against New Zealand last autumn.

"He certainly didn't do anything to harm his reputation, and he also played in the one-off Test in Australia last July and showed that he is well capable of handling that level of play."