Deacon quits Bradford for Wigan

Bradford Bulls captain Paul Deacon has quit the club to sign for Super League rivals Wigan Warriors on a player-coach basis.

Deacon has been at Odsal for 12 seasons, dating back to his top-flight debut in 1998 after he signed from Oldham Bears.

However, the 30-year-old has opted to leave for the DW Stadium ahead of next season with a view to making the transition to coaching full-time from 2011 onwards under the new regime of Michael Maguire at Wigan.

"We are delighted to secure the services of Paul, both as a player and as a coach," Maguire said.

"He will give us a number of options in our squad, covering the halves and adding versatility with the likes of Thomas Leuluai.

"He also brings with him a wealth of experience; he is a natural leader and is a great role model for some of our younger guys.

"Paul is a great student of the game and is very tactically aware having been the main pivot for both Bradford and Great Britain during his career.

"I am really looking forward to working with him both as a playing member of the squad and in helping him to develop his coaching career."

Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan thanked Bradford for their "thoughtfulness and concern" in dealing with the issue of releasing Deacon from the final year of his playing contract.

And, in turn, the player also paid tribute to his former employers for allowing him to take up the opportunity to develop his skills as a kicking and half-backs coach with the Warriors.

"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."