Ex-Great Britain scrum-half Paul Deacon has joined his home town club Wigan from Bradford on a three-year deal as an assistant coach and player. The 30-year-old had 12 months left on his contract with the Bulls but was released after they signed Australian half-back Matt Orford from Manly.

Paul Deacon

Deacon said: (quote) I hope to help Wigan win some silverware before I hang up the boots. I would like to thank Bradford, their fans, players, coaching staff, management and board for 12 truly memorable years. 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. To work alongside Michael Maguire and Shaun Wane really excites me and I can not wait to get started. (end quote)

New Wigan coach Maguire, who succeeded Brian Noble in October, said: (quote) Paul 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. (end quote)

Deacon, who will mentor Wigan’s 20-year-old England half-back Sam Tomkins, will go full-time on the Wigan coaching staff from 2011, specialising in the kicking talents for which he made his name.

In 2006 he broke Bradford’s points and goals records held by Keith Mumby, and in all kicked 1,140 goals and scored 2,609 points in his 12 seasons at Odsal.

He played in all five of Bradford’s consecutive Grand Final appearances and won 11 caps for Great Britain.

Bradford chairman Peter Hood said: (quote) We would like to thank Paul for 12 great years at Bradford Bulls. He has been a fantastic player, a loyal servant and a great captain. Due to the commitment he has shown to Bradford, we felt it was only right to let Paul move to his home town club where he has the opportunity to develop a coaching career. (end quote)