DEPARTING Pilkington Recs coach Kurt Haggerty has retired from playing professionally at Bradford and has joined the coaching staff of the newly-formed Toronto Wolfpack on a three-year deal, it has been confirmed.

Haggerty has been presented with an opportunity to become reunited with his former Leigh boss Paul Rowley.

The 27-year-old second-rower, who lives in Haresfinch, has secured a release from his playing contract at Bradford, which still had two years to run.

Haggerty arrived at Odsal from Leigh last November on an initial one-year deal and emerged as a key figure during their turbulent campaign.

But he has also been carving out his reputation as a burgeoning coach, having led St Helens-based amateur outfit Pilkington Recs to three consecutive promotions to the National Conference top flight.

Recs, where Haggerty has been on the coaching staff since his early 20s, dumped League One outfit London Skolars out of the Challenge Cup earlier this year.

Former Leigh head coach Rowley was keen to bring Haggerty on to his backroom staff as the Canadian outfit seek to make their mark on League One in 2017.

The Wolfpack, headed up by Rowley as head coach and Brian Noble as director of rugby, will be full-time next season and are being tipped to win an immediate promotion to the Championship.