Burgess: Heading Down Under

Whilst I am excited about the prospect of playing in Australia it has been a tough decision to make; Sam Burgess

South Sydney Rabbitohs have signed Bradford forward Sam Burgess on a four-year deal.

The 20-year-old has long been linked with a move to the NRL despite having another year to run on his contract with the Bulls.

However the Rabbitohs have now agreed a compensation fee with the Super League club to acquire him in time for next season.

Actor Russell Crowe, who has a controlling interest in South Sydney, helped convince Burgess to move to the NRL side in a face-to-face meeting.

Fantastic deal

"It's a fantastic deal for Sam," said Burgess' manager Chris Caisley. "He's highly delighted and really looking forward to testing himself at that level."

Burgess, who looks certain to feature for England in end-of-season Gillette Four Nations series, admitted it wasn't an easy decision to leave Bradford - and hasn't ruled out a return to the Grattan Odsal Stadium in the future.

His move means three Englishmen will be plying their trade in Australia - International team-mate Gareth Ellis has just completed his first season at Wests Tigers, who recently signed Wigan loose forward Mark Flanagan.

"Whilst I am excited about the prospect of playing in Australia it has been a tough decision to make," Burgess said.

"I have been at Bradford since I was fourteen and have many friends at the club but playing in Australia has been an ambition since I was fifteen and I am delighted that Souths have given me the opportunity to open a new chapter in my life.

"It's a good deal for both myself and the Bulls and I have really enjoyed my time at the Grattan Stadium.

"I am who I am today because of the Bradford Bulls systems that I have been in, because of the coaches and all the people at the club. Steve McNamara in particular, has been a massive influence on my career.

"They have all been very influential, both for myself and my career and I won't be turning my back on them because further down the line I'd like to think I may come back one day."

Best interests

Bulls chairman Peter Hood admitted he did all he could to keep Burgess but was forced to do the "right thing in the overall best interests of the club".

"It goes without saying that we are all extremely disappointed to be losing a player who's potential to become one of the greats of the modern game is universally acknowledged," he said.

"We did everything we reasonably could to persuade him to stay but, to be fair to Sam, he has never made any secret of his determination to test himself in the NRL at the earliest opportunity.

"We were left in no doubt that Sam would walk free at the end of next season and, that being the case; it was simply a question doing the right thing in the overall best interests of the club."