James Graham a Bulldog in 2012
27/04/2011 11:01:17 AM
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have secured a signing coup with current Great Britain international and 2010 England captain James Graham agreeing to join the Club on a three year deal commencing in 2012.
25 year old Graham will link with the Bulldogs on the back of a stellar nine season career with St Helens in the English Super League.
During his career at Saints he claimed such accolades as the 2008 Man of Steel Award, the Rugby League Writers Player of the Year, World XIII selection, and being named the best prop in the world.
Elevated to the England captaincy prior to the 2010 Four Nations tournament held in Australia and New Zealand following injury to Jamie Peacock and Adrian Morley, Liverpool-born Graham says testing himself in the National Rugby League was something he always had on his to-do list.
The decision to leave St Helens has been by far the biggest decision of my Rugby League career, Graham says.
Ive been on the books with Saints since I was 11 years old and I grew up supporting the Club. I love the place and I never wanted to play against them, and as such I didnt consider any other Super League options.
Testing myself in the NRL is something Ive always wanted to do, and the Bulldogs just seemed right from day one. From meeting with Todd Greenberg and Kevin Moore and also Peter Mulholland, I got a feeling that the Bulldogs are a Club heading in the right direction.
They made it clear to me that they saw me as a big part of the future of the Club and Im looking forward, after a successful finish to my time at Saints, to linking with the Club at the end of the year.
Bulldogs head coach Kevin Moore says Graham was a key acquisition for his side and adds more international quality to the forward pack.
James is a player of the highest quality and were very much looking forward to having him on board from next season onwards, Moore says.
Hes been rated among the best front rowers in the world for a number years now and its always exciting to add international quality to your forward pack. Being the current captain of England his leadership qualities are obvious and he will be a great addition to our Club and our team.
I think hes going to make a big impression across the NRL.
Bulldogs Chief Executive Officer Todd Greenberg has echoed Moores sentiments, saying Graham will be a great acquisition across the board for the Club.
One of the things that struck me about James is his genuineness, Greenberg said. He was up front about wanting to test himself in the NRL and was also up front about the qualities he wanted in the Club he was going to join.
Hes obviously come through a very close-knit environment at St Helens, who have fostered him from a very young age and have done a fantastic job with him both on and off the field.
There were a number of NRL Clubs in the hunt for James and we take it as a compliment that such a fine young man sees the Bulldogs as having the right type of environment to further himself in football and life.
Graham will link with the Bulldogs in time for the 2012 pre-season.
JAMES GRAHAM
DOB: 10/09/1985, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Height: 188cm
Weight: 106kg
http://www.bulldogs.com.au/default....id=36072&title=james-graham-a-bulldog-in-2012
27/04/2011 11:01:17 AM
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have secured a signing coup with current Great Britain international and 2010 England captain James Graham agreeing to join the Club on a three year deal commencing in 2012.
25 year old Graham will link with the Bulldogs on the back of a stellar nine season career with St Helens in the English Super League.
During his career at Saints he claimed such accolades as the 2008 Man of Steel Award, the Rugby League Writers Player of the Year, World XIII selection, and being named the best prop in the world.
Elevated to the England captaincy prior to the 2010 Four Nations tournament held in Australia and New Zealand following injury to Jamie Peacock and Adrian Morley, Liverpool-born Graham says testing himself in the National Rugby League was something he always had on his to-do list.
The decision to leave St Helens has been by far the biggest decision of my Rugby League career, Graham says.
Ive been on the books with Saints since I was 11 years old and I grew up supporting the Club. I love the place and I never wanted to play against them, and as such I didnt consider any other Super League options.
Testing myself in the NRL is something Ive always wanted to do, and the Bulldogs just seemed right from day one. From meeting with Todd Greenberg and Kevin Moore and also Peter Mulholland, I got a feeling that the Bulldogs are a Club heading in the right direction.
They made it clear to me that they saw me as a big part of the future of the Club and Im looking forward, after a successful finish to my time at Saints, to linking with the Club at the end of the year.
Bulldogs head coach Kevin Moore says Graham was a key acquisition for his side and adds more international quality to the forward pack.
James is a player of the highest quality and were very much looking forward to having him on board from next season onwards, Moore says.
Hes been rated among the best front rowers in the world for a number years now and its always exciting to add international quality to your forward pack. Being the current captain of England his leadership qualities are obvious and he will be a great addition to our Club and our team.
I think hes going to make a big impression across the NRL.
Bulldogs Chief Executive Officer Todd Greenberg has echoed Moores sentiments, saying Graham will be a great acquisition across the board for the Club.
One of the things that struck me about James is his genuineness, Greenberg said. He was up front about wanting to test himself in the NRL and was also up front about the qualities he wanted in the Club he was going to join.
Hes obviously come through a very close-knit environment at St Helens, who have fostered him from a very young age and have done a fantastic job with him both on and off the field.
There were a number of NRL Clubs in the hunt for James and we take it as a compliment that such a fine young man sees the Bulldogs as having the right type of environment to further himself in football and life.
Graham will link with the Bulldogs in time for the 2012 pre-season.
JAMES GRAHAM
DOB: 10/09/1985, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Height: 188cm
Weight: 106kg
http://www.bulldogs.com.au/default....id=36072&title=james-graham-a-bulldog-in-2012
