PAUL Clough will join Bradford Bulls at the end of the season after agreeing a deal to join the relegated outfit.

The former Blackbrook amateur, has spent the year on loan at Widnes, but has not featured in recent weeks since picking up an injury.

A mobile, hard working forward who gives an honest stint with no daft penalties Clough first broke into the first team in 2005 after a fine Academy career.

Aged 16, he was named Saints under 18 Player of the Year in a squad that reached the Grand Final and went on to Captain the first ever and highly successful Academy Tour of Australia.

He made his Super League debut in July 2005 against Hull and then picked up Challenge Cup medals in 2007 and 2008.

He made 189 appearances for the Saints, scoring 24 tries - including a hat-trick against Warrington - before joining Widnes on a season long loan at the start of the year.

He has, however, in recent seasons, however, been overtaken in the pecking order by younger forwards Luke Thompson, Greg Richards and Joe Greenwood.

"Like any of our home-grown talent, I'm really sad to see Paul leave the club," CEO Mike Rush said. "He is one of the best Academy players we've had and was always a real professional in the way he conducted himself both on and off the field.

"He was always a top trainer and that was even more evident when he kicked on and made the first team.

"He captained our inaugural Tour of Australia, and that age group, led by Paul, and their successes, set the tone for the five other tours that followed.

"I wish him all the best at Bradford."