FORMER Bradford Bulls star Brandon Pickersgill has joined up with local rivals Keighley Cougars on a three-year contract.

A product of the Odsal side’s academy system, the fullback will be hoping to finally kick on and cement a starting birth in a side, having been left frustrated in recent times due to inactivity and injury problems.

Starting out at Bulls, Pickersgill went on to join Featherstone Rovers where he only managed 12 appearances in the 22-23 season.

Most recently (last season), in a bid for more game time, the Bradford native then joined up with Halifax Panthers, but injuries once again hampered any sort of momentum for Pickersgill, and he made no appearances for the Panthers.

Cougars have now presented the 26-year-old fullback with a great opportunity to kickstart his career once again, and he’ll link up with former teammates Ellis Robson, Jake Webster and Dean Foggin-Johnston at Cougar Park in Betfred League One in 2024.

Discussing the move, Pickersgill said to Cougars: “I am excited to get started and finally have somewhere I can call home.”

Cougars COO, Steve Watkinson said: “Brandon is a player who’s not found consistency since his time at the Bulls and when we heard he was looking for somewhere to call home we were confident we could offer him that at Cougar Park. He’s a player who gives us depth in the spine positions and his electric pace is something we can all be excited about.”

“The length of the deal shows our commitment to Brandon and also allows us to build a stable team for the future with a key signing in the spine.”

“I must thank Richard at Halifax for helping with this transfer so late into the recruitment drive. I must also thank Mrs Susan Lee for her kind donation which has gone towards this signing. Susan becomes Brandon’s corporate sponsor for 2024.”

“We’ve also been able to confirm a friendly fixture with the Panthers at Cougar Park on 21 January, as both sides reach a climax in pre-season programmes. We will shortly be launching tickets for this game online.”