Deacon, 30, has captained the Bulls for the last three seasons but was released from his contract 12 months early to join his hometown club Wigan Warriors where he will be assistant coach.

Stepping into Deacon's boots will be Manly captain Orford, 31, who has signed a three-year deal with the Bulls. He skippered Manly to victory in the 2008 Grand Final – the year in which he was also awarded the coveted Dally M Medal as the game's best player – and also this year's World Club Challenge defeat of Leeds Rhinos.

Deacon last night said he hoped Odsal supporters would understand the reasons behind his decision to finish his playing days with his local club.

"I would like to thank the Bradford club, their fans, players, coaching staff, management and board for 11 truly memorable years," he said.

"It has been an honour to play and captain the team but I hope they can understand the great opportunity I now have to progress my career beyond my playing days.

"I have always harboured a desire to play for my home-town team and I hope to help Wigan win some silverware before I hang up the boots."

In 2006, Deacon broke the club points and goals records previously held by the legendary Keith Mumby. He played in all five of the Bulls consecutive Grand Finals, picking up the Harry Sunderland Trophy as man of the match in 2002.

The Great Britain international has amassed a club record of 2,605 points in 326 appearances including 46 as substitute – 75 tries, 1,140 goals and 25 drop-goals.

Bulls' chairman Peter Hood said: "Paul Deacon has been a wonderful servant to Bradford Bulls and he embarks on the next stage of his rugby career with our very best wishes.

"I doubt that his record points tally will ever be surpassed and, whilst he would doubtless have gone on to add to that number had he continued to play for us, all good things must one day come to an end.

"Paul has decided that now is the right time to bring down the curtain on his illustrious Bulls career. The club fully respects Paul's decision and has agreed to his request that he be released from the remainder of his contract."

Deacon hails from Standish in Wigan and played his junior rugby with the Hindley amateur club. He played for Wigan Schools and Lancashire Schools and was a member of the England Schoolboys team captained by former Wigan and Bradford hooker Terry Newton.

He made his senior professional debut for Oldham Bears four days before his 18th birthday, joining the Bulls at the start of the 1998 season. Deacon didn't have long to wait long for his chance in Super League, scoring a try and a goal on his debut at scrum-half in the Bulls' 36-10 Super League home defeat of Huddersfield Giants in June of that year.

In 2007 he was named at scrum-half in Bradford's Team of the Century. The following year saw Deacon celebrate his testimonial season after 10 years' service for the Bulls.

"Paul has been outstanding over a large period of time and has been particularly strong over the past 12 months when it's been difficult at times," said Bulls coach Steve McNamara.

"He's been good for the club and good for me as a coach. It's sad to see him go but it would be a shame for him to miss out on an opportunity like this."

But McNamara is thrilled to have captured Orford, regarded as one of the game's greatest players.

"I am highly delighted to be able to bring a player of Matt's stature and calibre to Bradford Bulls and his pedigree speaks for itself," said McNamara.

"He will be a super acquisition for us and I am really looking forward to working alongside him and driving the Bulls forward in 2010."

Orford comes to England to realise his ambition of playing on these shores.

"I'm very excited and I can't wait to join Bradford," he said.

"I've always wanted to play in Super League and this opportunity came at the right time. I'm coming to a great club with a great roster. Speaking to Steve, I'm really excited about coming over and trying to be part of something special.

"It was also one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. I've been at Manly for four years and achieved some amazing goals so I was very fortunate to play for them and it was really tough to leave but I am really looking forward to becoming a Bull."

Super League champions Leeds Rhinos will meet Bradford at Headingley on Sunday, January 17, in a match to launch Rhinos hooker Matt Diskin's testimonial season.

Other Bulls friendlies include a Boxing Day game at Castleford Tigers (12.00 noon), their traditional game at Dewsbury Rams on Friday, January 22 (8.00), and a trip to New Craven Park to take on Hull Kingston Rovers (8.00) on Thursday, January 28.

Rising England star Kyle Eastmond was officially named as the successor to Sean Long yesterday and immediately tipped to become a big hit.

The 20-year-old, one of the revelations in England's encouraging Four Nations campaign, has been handed the No 7 jersey in St Helens' new squad list.

Eastmond played in every back position for Saints this year and starred at centre in the Grand Final, but is earmarked to fill the scrum-half boots of Long, who has joined Hull.

"He played excellently at centre this year but I'd rather have him in the middle of the park where he can get his hands on the ball a bit more," said team-mate James Graham. "He has grown lots as a player and I know it's an old cliche but the world is his oyster, it really is."

Prop Nick Fozzard has reclaimed the No 8 shirt after a season at Hull KR.