Vainikolo set for Gloucester

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The 28-year-old Tongan powerhouse is under contract to the Bulls until the end of the 2009 season but asked for a release in order to try his hand at rugby union, and Bradford agreed to release him after completing the signing of Brisbane Broncos winger Tame Tupou, who is seen as a direct replacement and is due to arrive next week.

Vainikolo said: "First and foremost I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone connected with Bradford Bulls - including my team-mates, the staff and all the supporters - for making the last five years so memorable."

He added: "Bradford is my home and I know I'll be back. I'm determined to go out on a high and want to contribute as much as possible over the next six weeks before I make the switch."

Bradford chairman Peter Hood said: "Lesley came to see me and said that he still had a burning desire to see if he could replicate his success in rugby league in union.

"There aren't many players who have achieved as much as Lesley has with Bradford or who have given fans so much pleasure with their performances, which I'm not sure we will ever see beaten in Super League.

"In view of this and his five years of unflinching commitment and service to the Bulls, we agreed that, should we be able to secure a world-class replacement, we would not stand in the way of his dream.

"Lesley knows he is welcome back at Bradford at any time and we genuinely wish him every success with this move."

Vainikolo, who arrived at the Bulls from Canberra Raiders in 2002 with the nickname "Volcano", more than lived up to his reputation - scoring 143 tries in 146 appearances to date.