Mick Potter has moved to solve the Bulls’ half-back shortage by swooping for Featherstone starlet Kyle Briggs.

The 23-year-old today signed a two-year deal, including a club option for a third season, in a move that further highlights ambitions for the coming campaign.

Bradford have stumped up an undisclosed fee for the player, who was under contract at Rovers until the end of 2011, after he was identified by head coach Potter as a potential solution at stand-off.

“It came out of the blue and happened really quickly but it was an opportunity I just couldn’t turn down,” said Briggs.

“I’m happy to be given the opportunity, excited to start and it’s a new challenge for myself.

“I’d like to thank Featherstone for giving me the opportunity, and I’m sad to be leaving there, but opportunities like this don’t come round that often.

“First impressions of Bradford have been really good. Everyone’s made me feel really welcome and I’m excited about the whole thing.”

Briggs’ signing finally provides Bradford with a natural No 6 – something sorely lacking throughout their disastrous 2010 campaign.

Brett Kearney, Patrick Ah Van, Danny Addy and Paul Sykes had all been mooted as possibilities for the role but none of the four would count stand-off as their favoured position.

Since being released by home-town club Leeds Rhinos after graduating through their academy system, Briggs has rebuilt his career during spells at Hunslet, Doncaster and Featherstone.

A reliable goal-kicker and genuine try threat, he claimed an impressive 352-point haul last season and has attracted attention from a host of clubs in the past, with Hull FC, Castleford and Wakefield among those to have considered making a move.

Potter said: “It’s an opportunity for Kyle to show what he’s got. He’s a player who’s been on Bradford’s radar for a couple of years and it’s a chance for him to get a start and see what he’s got.

“There’s a bit of a void to be filled. Even though we’ve got players to play in that position, there’s an opportunity for someone to step up and really secure it as their position.

“He’s not afraid to take the line on, he knows how to pull people in to create space for team-mates and he’s got a very good kicking game.

“You want enough of those players in your team to get you round the park.”

Meanwhile, Featherstone coach Daryl Powell is confident Briggs can handle the step up to Super League.

Powell said: “I am delighted for him. He is a quality individual and I have been proud to see him develop within the club over the last 18 months.

“It is a great opportunity for him and I hope he will be able to take it. I am confident he is a player who can step up and have an impact at Super League level.”

Meanwhile, Matt Orford’s departure is expected to be confirmed tomorrow after his representatives reached a verbal agreement with the Bulls on terms of the release.

The 32-year-old is expected to sign off on a compromise later today before finalising a move to Canberra Raiders, ending a bitter four-month saga.

Although Orford had two years left to run on the contract he signed just 13 months ago, Bradford will not receive any compensation from the deal.

Similarly, the player is not expected to forfeit any of the £100,000 in salary he is still owed from last season.