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Tuesday, 29 September 2009 19:10 |
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Published Date:
29 September 2009 By
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BRADFORD BULLS stand to make around £200,000 from the sale of England forward Sam Burgess to South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Losing their star player may further incense frustrated fans on the back of their worst Super League campaign.
But Burgess, under contract at Odsal until 2011, has a clause allowing him to walk away for nothing to any NRL club at the end of next season so Bradford are set to cash in on their prime asset.
A host of Australian suitors, including champions Manly, Sydney City Roosters and Wests Tigers, had expressed interest in taking the burgeoning prop at the culmination of 2010.
But only Souths – co-owned by Hollywood actor Russell Crowe, who met and impressed Burgess on a Derbyshire film set just last month – have shown a willingness to compensate Bradford for his immediate release.
The switch could be announced as early as tomorrow barring any late hitches with the 20-year-old set to move to Sydney in mid-December after England's Gillette Four Nations tournament.
Burgess, who came through the Academy ranks at Odsal to earn a reputation as one of the world's finest forwards, has always expressed a desire to test his skills in the toughest of all competitions.
He is believed to have signed a four-year deal with Souths but Bradford have first option if he decides to return to Super League and they match any rival offer.
Souths officials, while admitting talking to the player, have refused to confirm or deny reports the move is imminent.
Asked yesterday if the Bulls had accepted a bid, Bradford chairman Peter Hood remained coy.
"If we had accepted a bid from anyone, I would make that public at a time of my choosing rather than in response to a question, so I won't comment on that," he said.
The six-figure fee will be crucial to the club whose financial situation has not been aided this term by falling crowds, reduced prize money, fewer Sky TV games and a failure to reach the play-offs for the first time.
It was also announced yesterday that Bradford will break with tradition and participate in a Boxing Day fixture this year, at Castleford Tigers, a clear attempt to raise more funds.
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