Burgess quits Bulls for Australia
Sam Burgess is to leave Bradford Bulls for the NRL
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Tuesday, 29, Sep 2009 05:57
By Alistair Potter.
Bradford Bulls have announced that prop or back-rower Sam Burgess is set to join NRL side South Sydney Rabbitohs on a four-year contract.
Burgess, 20, who had a clause in his existing Bulls contract that would have allowed him to move down under at the end of next season, has agreed terms on a deal that will see him leave Odsal after three seasons and 79 appearances for the Bulls.
In revealing the deal, the Super League club say they have secured an option to re-sign Burgess if he decides to return to England.
And the player himself admitted the decision to quit the area of his birth was "a tough decision to make".
"I have been at Bradford since I was 14 and have many friends at the club but playing in Australia has been an ambition since I was 15 and I am delighted that Souths have given me the opportunity to open a new chapter in my life," he explained.
"It's a good deal for both myself and the Bulls and I have really enjoyed my time at the Grattan Stadium."
Recent speculation suggests Hollywood actor and Rabbitohs fan Russell Crowe wooed Burgess to South Sydney after wining and dining him while in England on a trip.
And although Bulls chairman Peter Hood said he is "extremely disappointed" to be losing Burgess, he said he is sure the player will excel in the NRL.
"We did everything we reasonably could to persuade him to stay but, to be fair to Sam, he has never made any secret of his determination to test himself in the NRL at the earliest opportunity," Hood said.
"We were left in no doubt that Sam would walk free at the end of next season and, that being the case; it was simply a question doing the right thing in the overall best interests of the club.
"Sam Burgess has been a huge asset to Bradford Bulls both on and off the field and a credit to the English game.
"He will be a great ambassador for us down under and we wish him every success with South Sydney - until such time as we can welcome him home as a Bradford Bull once more."
Hood said he believes Burgess can "become one of the greats of the modern game" over time, and the player himself was keen to pay tribute to the club that nurtured him from his early teens and give hope to the fans that he would return in the future.
"I am who I am today because of the Bradford Bulls systems that I have been in, because of the coaches and all the people at the club," Burgess continued.
"Steve McNamara in particular, has been a massive influence on my career.
"They have all been very influential, both for myself and my career and I won't be turning my back on them because further down the line I'd like to think I may come back one day."
Burgess will join international team-mate Gareth Ellis at the Rabbitohs, and will continue to be eligible for England selection under head coach Tony Smith - who is currently preparing for the upcoming Four Nations tournament next month.