Nick Scruton today signed a one-year deal with Wakefield and revealed his heartache over quitting the Bulls following the club's latest off-field crisis.

As exclusively revealed in today’s Telegraph & Argus, last season’s player of the year had been the subject of an approach from the Wildcats.

The 29-year-old prop completed the move at lunchtime today after Wakefield paid administrator David Wilson a nominal fee for his services.

Bradford’s slide into administration on January 31 is continuing to have a devastating effect with Scruton the third player to leave the club during the past month.

He follows Garreth Carvell and Jarrod Sammut through the Odsal exit and admitted it was a tough decision but one he had to make for the security of his family.

Scruton, who joined Bradford from Leeds ahead of the 2009 campaign, said: “A lot of the (Bradford) fans won’t believe it but yesterday was one of the worst days of my life, it genuinely was. 

“I’ve had six years and they’ve not all been good years, we’ve had ups and downs but I have loved every minute of my time at Bradford Bulls.

"It was a sad day yesterday for me to decide that the best decision for me and my family was to leave and come to Wakefield. 

“That’s the decision I’ve made and now I’m just looking forward to getting on with it.

“It’s pretty easy being a rugby player, we just get out there and do our job. 

“We can’t control many things apart from the rugby side so that’s what I want to do now and get out there and play well for Wakefield Wildcats.”

Scruton, who is set to make his debut for the Wildcats against Catalan next weekend, was part of the Bulls side who beat Richard Agar’s men last Thursday.

Scruton added: “I don’t think it was a cracking game for anybody that day and I don’t think it did Wakefield justice. 

“I’m looking forward to getting stuck in with the lads and there is a lot of quality here.

“Once we hit our straps we can drag ourselves away from the relegation scrap and claw our way up the table.

“Last pre-season was one of the first pre-seasons I’ve had in about four years with injuries and niggles. 

“I’ve had another pre-season this year so I’m looking to go one better. 

“Last year was a good year but I know I can play better and I’m glad that’s Wakefield so I’m hoping they’ll see my best year yet.”

Scruton met his new team-mates today and said: “It’s sunk in a bit more today now I’ve been down to the ground and seen the boys train.

“I’m just looking forward to getting out there and training myself now and get on with the next chapter of my career."

It remains to be seen how many more players will leave the Bulls now the club is in the hands of the administrator as the search for a buyer continues.

Chief executive Robbie Hunter-Paul said: “Administration is difficult at the best of times, but we are getting on with the task at hand.

“For sure, we are vulnerable at the moment, but we are working hard to ensure the squad remains intact.”