A year of hard work paid off for coach Matthew Elliott when he was finally able to parade £140,000 Nathan McAvoy as a Bradford Bulls player at Odsal today.

The 21-year-old Salford centre and Huddersfield prop Neil Harmon both completed the formalities of their respective transfers and trained with their new colleagues.

Elliott said: "There has been a lot of hard work go into these deals. I don't want people to think they are a reaction to the defeat in Edinburgh by London Broncos because we have been chasing these players for some time.

"Signing new players is very hard as rival clubs do not want to release them. I first became interested in McAvoy last year and have been making inquiries ever since.

"He is a very talented young player and a natural athlete. He has many qualities and as a coach it is a real challenge for me to make sure he realises his potential."

Both McAvoy and 29-year-old Harmon will be in the Bulls 17 for Sunday's Odsal clash with Sheffield Eagles and though Elliott is tight-lipped about his line-up he says: "Both will play at some point. I am just delighted to have fresh faces around the place to create competition.

"We have been hit hard by injuries this season and have just lost Bernard Dwyer for four weeks with a knee injury, but the new men will give us greater strength in depth as we enter the key part of the Super League season."

McAvoy says: "It is an exciting challenge joining such a big club. I am looking forward to playing alongside men like Robbie Paul.

My first aim is to get into the side though. If I can do that and things go well, hopeful I can press for a place in the Great Britain squad to face New Zealand this autumn."

Harmon, who is believed to have cost only £20,000, also has his eyes on a Great Britain spot but his first objective is to savour running out at Odsal as a Bulls player.

"As an opponent it was always a tough place to visit. It will be nice having the crowd on my side. I know many of the players and hope that I can play my part in the chase for honours.

"I know it is going to be tough because every team coming here thinks it is their cup final but I am a positive person and I believe we can do very well."

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