THE Bradford Bulls have seen off competition from Super League sides to secure the signature of Emmanuel Waine on a two-year deal from the start of the 2025 season.

The 27-year-old Papua New Guinea powerhouse impressed in the Rugby League World Cup held in 2022 – earning a move to London Broncos in 2023.

Having been awarded the man of the match on debut, Waine played a key role in the Broncos’ Grand Final success and subsequent promotion to Super League.

He links up with fellow Kumuls star Keven Appo, who recently signed a new two-year deal to extend his stay at the club until the end of 2026.

Bradford boss Eamon O’Carroll has spoken of his delight at capturing the ‘destructive’ Waine – who he feels will help his side’s attack evolve in 2025 and beyond.

“I am really pleased and excited to be able to bring in someone with the quality of Emmanuel.

“He is a really powerful individual who breaks tackles.  He’s doing that in the Super League and looking at his stats he’s really competitive,” said O’Carroll.

“He has the ability to play middle and back row, so he adds more depth, and I am excited to bring him to the club.”

Discussing the transfer further, O’Carroll said: “He’s (Waine) moving up with his family and he will add another dynamic to our team.

“He has great balance in everything he does; he is destructive when he carries, he has great leg speed and power and defensively he wants to hit people hard.

“He will fit into what we are trying to do here.”

O’Carroll admitted that the club had to put in hard work to get the deal over the line and win the PNG powerhouse’s signature.

He said: “We started talking with Emmanuel early which helped us ( to see off Super League competition).

“He has great ambition to play in the Super League but he’s on board with the journey with us.

“It is a really exciting signing, and I am sure he will become a fans’ favourite.”

Waine joins fellow Kumuls star Appo at the club, and O’Carroll feels that the pair have similarities to their game.

He said: “That was appealing having another threat similar to Kev in the team; he will suit how we want to play.

“We have not got going the way we want with our attack, so it is important we bring in recruits that are going to suit that and help our attack evolve.

“I’d like to thank the Bradford Bulls Squad Booster Association again for their support and contribution to Emmanuel’s signing.”

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