RUAN JOINS THE BULLS

Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce the capture of towering forward Leon Ruan from Hull KR on an initial full-time season long loan for 2026 - before making the move permanent in 2027.

The 22-year-old joined Leeds Rhinos prior to the start of the 2023 season, having impressed at Doncaster, before making the move to Sewell Group Craven Park ahead of the 2025 season.

Ruan spent time on loan at Salford Red Devils towards the back end of the campaign – with his move to the Bulls seeing him reunite with a number of familiar faces including Jayden Nikorima, Esan Marsters and Loghan Lewis.

Leon Ruan said:

“It’s a really exciting opportunity for me to show what I can do by bringing my energy and effort levels to push for a spot in the team. I just want to compete hard that is the main thing and try win everything I can, I want to put my best foot forward for the fans, the club and for myself. 

“I know Eribe from last season, he competes hard and plays hard and knowing some of the guys from Salford too like Rowan Milnes, Esan Marsters and Jayden Nikorima, that will make my transition a bit easier too. There is a lot of quality in the team, so I am excited to get going and hopefully add to that and push for my spot in the team. 

“Being at Hull KR, especially for the last year I have learned a lot in terms of competing and fitness and although I didn’t play too much I learned a lot about myself behind the scenes and how I want to act and impose myself. I am a completely different player to the last time I was at the Bulls and getting experience at other clubs has helped me move forward.” 

Bradford Bulls Head Coach Kurt Haggerty, who is sponsored by Sandy & Richard Monro, said:

“I like the style of rugby Leon plays, he’s a big body who’s got good leg speed, he can break tackles and he also works really hard defensively. He fits the bill for what we’re looking for in a Bradford Bulls player and I am really excited to have him on board. 

“He’s been at some very big clubs in Leeds and Hull KR so he knows what a winning environment looks like. To bring him in here and hopefully get him more game time than he’s had previously will only help him and help us as a team. 

“Having spoken to him he knows the process he has to go through to get into our 17, but I see him as a back rower who can play in the middle so he adds versatility, he’s chomping at the bit to get going with the Bradford Bulls.”