JOHN Kear today hailed one of his best signings for the Bulls after landing Aaron Murphy.

The 31-year-old has been announced as the latest capture as the experienced coach continues to assemble his squad for 2021.

Murphy, who has signed a two-year deal, will follow Huddersfield team-mate Danny Brough to the club – and Kear sees him as an equally significant recruit for their Championship promotion push.

“I feel he is one of biggest signings the club has made since I came in,” said Kear.

“He will add greatly to the group because he is a real team before self player and he is the type of person we want to join the group.

“He is a warrior. You can see through how he plays he leaves nothing at all on the pitch and is key in the dressing room.

“He is very honest, hard-working, tough and gives his all week-in week-out. You don’t worry about him because he is consistently good.”

Murphy has played the last nine seasons for the Giants in a variety of roles, beginning on the wing before working his way on to the back row.

He won the League Leaders’ Shield alongside Brough at the John Smith’s Stadium in 2013.

The Scottish international is understood to have played a key role in encouraging Murphy to make the short move across the M62.

Kear added: “If you asked Danny whether he wanted him with or against his side, he doesn’t take a backward step. He gives 100 per cent every minute.

“Aaron is edging towards 300 Super League games. That’s a fair few runs on the board.

“He has played in every position except halves and hooker, so not only is he a warrior but he is also very versatile.

“It is another sign that we are getting a reputation as a well-run club. He believes in the project and that’s a very good sign.

“I feel there is absolutely no negative in the signing.”

Murphy has spent the last 13 seasons in Super League after starting with Wakefield in 2008. He joined Huddersfield four years later and has built a reputation as a fierce competitor for the Giants.

With the majority of the current crop secured for next season, the capture of Super League stalwarts Brough and Murphy has given Bulls fans plenty to be optimistic about.

Chief executive Mark Sawyer said: “We’re nearly there with the squad. At the meeting this week, John said there was just a little bit more fine-tuning to do.

“His main emphasis has been on retaining the existing players and then bringing in one or two with that added experience.

“Aaron is good friends with Danny Brough, who encouraged him to come to Bradford instead of one of the other options he had.

“You need that combination of the right experience and youth to compete at the top level in the Championship and we feel we’ve got that.”

The Bulls are expecting to finally find out whether the proposed autumn competition will take place or not.

The RFL were meeting yesterday to discuss the tournament, which is looking doubtful after Leigh announced they would not be entering.

The Bulls were the first club to register an interest but only Dewsbury, Batley and Barrow have joined them.