BRADFORD Bulls three-quarter Rhys Evans has made a surprise loan move to Leeds Rhinos for the 2020 season, but the deal will at least see the Super League club return the favour.

The 27-year-old joined Bradford prior to the start of the 2019 season and made 12 appearances, scoring two tries.

Speaking to the official club website, Bulls' head coach John Kear said: "Rhys had a release clause in his contract so he was entitled to move to a Super League club, so by agreeing the loan proposition with Leeds he now has an opportunity to establish himself.

“As part of the agreement we will will also get a couple of Leeds players, which will be announced later in the month.

“Rhys is a smashing lad, with a strong Super League pedigree. On a personal level, I am pleased for him that he has this opportunity and the overall arrangement represents sound business for our club."

Commenting on the signing, Leeds Rhinos' Director of Rugby, Kevin Sinfield, said, "We are pleased to have brought a player of Rhys’ undoubted experience to the Rhinos to bolster our squad. He can cover a number of positions in the outside backs.

"Last season we were able to bring James Donaldson during pre-season to increase our quality in depth and we hope that Rhys will have a similar impact in 2020.

"He will immediately join up with the group and will join the squad for the pre-season camp in Spain next week."

Following that pre-season camp, Richard Agar’s Rhinos take on Kear's Bulls next Sunday as part of Jamie Jones-Buchanan’s testimonial, with fundraising taking place for the Rob Burrow Fund following his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease.

The Bulls have pledged to donate all proceeds from gate receipts to The Rob Burrow Fund.