BRADFORD Bulls see Warringtonian Dec Patton as a half-back who can help their Super League return bid.

The 26-year-old former Cardinal Newman High School student, who left Warrington Wolves for Salford Red Devils at the end of 2020, has signed for John Kear's Championship side for 2022.

Only two years ago he was helping steer The Wire to Challenge Cup Final glory over St Helens at Wembley, while he also has Grand Final experience with Wolves from 2016.

Now the ex-England Knights international is fighting to get his career back on track.

As back-up to marquee men Gareth Widdop and Blake Austin in 2020 he was only called on by Wire boss Steve Price four times and headed to Salford under former Wolves assistant coach Richard Marshall for 2021.

There he was selected on 11 occasions, four times off the bench, three times at hooker and four times in the halves.

Patton, who crossed for 16 tries and 142 goals in 108 games at Warrington, said: “I am excited to be joining Bradford.

"It has been a weird couple of seasons for me, not playing much, but after meeting John Kear and Mark Dunning (assistant first-team coach) and seeing the club, I am keen to get my career back on track and enjoy my rugby again.

“I feel like when I am playing at my best I am a leader, so hopefully I can bring that leadership to the team next year.

“I have seen a lot of the Championship games (in 2021) and the standard is definitely getting better, it is a good competition and hopefully I can make a difference.

“I am just excited for everything about the move and hopefully it can be a step up for my career and I can enjoy the experience.

“From talking to John, he thinks we aren’t far away and can push for the top two next year and push closer for promotion, and as a rugby player you all want to play in those big games.

“Hopefully I can help with that. I am more than happy to try to do what I can for the club and add my way of playing.”

Kear has hailed Patton’s arrival at Bradford as a ‘big coup’ and a ‘statement of intent’ – insisting it was too good an opportunity to turn down.

“Dec broke on to the scene at Warrington and only a ‘log jam’ of quality half backs prevented him getting a regular place, but I have always admired his talent,” said Kear.

“To get a Super League standard half-back is a real big coup for the club and is a massive statement of intent.

“If we see players who will add value to our playing group and help us ensure we continue to improve year on year, we have to pursue it and luckily we were in the right place at the right time.

“Dec wants to play Super League, we want to get back into Super League, and he will certainly be a key contributor towards that goal.”