Hull KR sign Bulls forward Donaldson

The England Knights international, 22, has made nearly 70 Super League appearances for Bradford since being signed as a schoolboy by Steve McNamara from Wath Brow Hornets.

GIven his work-rate and industry, he will undoubtedly be a loss for the West Yorkshire club - along with homeward-bound Australian Brett Kearney their only major departure so far confirmed since relegation - as they head into the Championship.

But Hull KR head coach Chris Chester, who makes Donaldson his fourth signing for 2015, has certainly got a class player in his ranks

“I feel like I’ve progressed a lot over the last few years but I know I’ve got a lot more to give,” said the Cumrbian.

“I feel the best place to do that is at Hull Kingston Rovers.

“I’ve been at Bradford for seven years now and I needed a new challenge. “I’m ready to be taken out of my comfort zone and hopefully something fresh will spark me up.

“I’ll be working with new players, new coaches and new ideas, it’s a totally clean start for me to come here and I can’t wait for it.

“I’ve met with Chezzy and I’ve liked what he said. The strongest part of my game is my defence and Chezzy wants me to come here and help tighten the middle up a bit.

“At the same time, he wants me to play with the ball which I haven’t always had the opportunity to do over the past couple of years at Bradford.

“I’ll work hard in this off season on that and hopefully I’ll make some strides for next year.”

Donaldson, the Bulls’ top tackler this year, joins Wigan centre Darrell Goulding and NRL duo Ken Sio and Josh Mantellato in linking up with the Robins for next season.

Ironically, he effectively replaces his former Bradford team-mate and good friend Jamie Langley, the 30-year-old ex-England back-row who made the same move from Odsal last winter but has not had his Craven Park deal renewed.

“James is exactly the sort of player that we want to bring to the club in that he is young, hungry and works very hard at his game,” said Chester.

“I would liken him to Scott Murrell in that he does all the little things that sometimes go unnoticed by supporters but that are always appreciated by coaches and teammates.

“He’s got a good engine on him, he plays big minutes and he doesn’t miss many tackles, so he’ll be a great fit for us.”

Bradford’s New Zealand centre Adam Henry, meanwhile, has agreed a 12-month deal to stay at Odsal in 2015.