BRADFORD Bulls have announced that homegrown talent Sam Ackroyd has signed a new one-year deal with the club.

Ackroyd, a half-back who can also fill in at hooker, featured in two pre-season games in 2024, making his first start against Hull FC at Bartercard Odsal.

Having impressed for Bulls' Academy and Reserves throughout the year, the 18-year-old earned a loan move to Whitehaven RLFC where he made six appearances towards the end of the Betfred Championship season.

Ackroyd follows in the footsteps of Jacob Bateman in penning a deal with the Bulls having come through the club's pathway system.

“I am really happy to have signed a new deal to stay at Bradford. I have enjoyed my time here from Scholarship level all the way up and I’d like to thank all the coaches and backroom staff who have helped me develop," said Ackroyd.

“I enjoyed getting some game time at Betfred Championship level with Whitehaven and felt it really benefitted my development playing at first team level in a tough competition.

“I need to kick on now and get more game time next year, so I am looking forward to ripping in when pre-season comes around. We’ve got three great halves at the club next year so I am eager to learn as much as I can from them to develop further.”

Head of Youth Ryan Hunkin, said: “I am delighted to see another of our Pathway players sign a professional contract with the club to complete their journey to first team level.

“Sam reaped his rewards for his work in pre-season last year when he featured against Featherstone and Hull FC for the first team and he gave a great account of himself.

"Towards the back end of the year Sam gained some valuable experience at first team level for Whitehaven in testing circumstances and he will undoubtedly have benefitted from his time in Cumbria.

“It’s testament to the hard work of everyone involved in our Pathway system, such as our coaches, off field staff, volunteers and Bullbuilder, that another of our rising stars has committed his future to the club.

“The challenge now for Sam is to use pre-season to develop further and be able to put his best foot forward to gain more experience at first team level in 2025.”