WIGAN have announced the signing of Great Britain prop Stuart Fielden from Bradford in a world record deal approaching é450,000.

Warriors confirmed this afternoon that Fielden has joined the club on a four-and-a-half year deal which runs to the end of the 2010 season.

The fee eclipses the é440,000 Wigan paid Widnes for Martin Offiah more than a decade ago.

Fielden is rated as one of the best forwards in the world and had played in the last five Grand Finals with the Bulls. The move will reunite Fielden with former Bulls coach Brian Noble.

The Bulls wanted to keep the player but could not compete with the terms offered by Wigan and said in a statement éit was not possible to persuade him to change his mindé.

Fielden said: éI have enjoyed my time at Bradford but I feel the time is right for me to leave. The prospect of a new challenge and a much bigger salary made the decision easy for me.é

The sale will considerably ease Bradfordés financial problems coming soon after selling naming rights to Odsal stadium.

Bulls chairman Peter Hood said: éI am on record as saying that Bradford Bulls is not and will not become a éselling clubé and that remains the position.

éHowever, when a player who has a year and a half remaining on his contract tells his head coach that he has made up his mind that he no longer wants to play for the club and instead wants his release - as Stuart did - then we are dealing with an extraordinary situation in which the club has little option but to consider letting him go - provided of course that the terms are right.

Connection

éIn that connection I am satisfied that the value extracted from the Wigan club is the best that could have been achieved.é

Fielden will increase Wiganés chances of Super League survival, the club being six points adrift from safety at the foot of the table with 11 games remaining.

Fielden was contracted to Bradford to the end of next season and therefore would have been able to move as a free agent, while the deal effectively scuppers his plan to move to Australia.

éThis is a great opportunity for me and I jumped at the chance to work with Brian Noble once more,é he said.

éHe has brought me through the ranks and his presence at Wigan played a bit part in my decision.é

Wigan, who recently failed in two bids to sign Fieldenés Bradford and Great Britain team-mate Paul Johnson, have also been linked with former player Terry Newton and Whelan hinted todayés signing may not be the last.

éThis is what Wigan Rugby League Club is all about,é he said. éWe used to go out and buy the best players in rugby league and, if Brian wants another player, we will go and get him.é

Noble confirmed Fielden would make his debut against Warrington at the JJB Stadium tomorrow night.

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