Royston does not count as an overseas player after seven years in England

Bradford have made their eighth new signing for next season by bringing in Australian full-back Shad Royston from Championship play-off hopefuls Halifax.

Royston, the Championship's joint top try scorer in 2010, will make his final appearance for Fax in next Sunday's Grand Final against Featherstone.

"I think Bradford will have a good year next year," said Royston, 28. "It's an exciting time to be part of the club.

"I get the feeling there is a big buzz around the club at the moment."

Bradford's new coach Mick Potter will not take up office at Odsal until he has seen out the remainder of his contract with St Helens, where he still has sights set on making the Super League Grand Final and is currently more preoccupied with who to choose as Saints' Club Call opponents next weekend.

But, already, the Bulls have lined up eight new signings to play under Potter in 2011.

606: DEBATE If it were up to me, I wouldn't have Mick Potter anywhere near a Saints team either SaintlySinner

Bradford announced on Thursday that jailed former Leeds, Hull and Crusaders winger Gareth Raynor will sign once he has finished serving his current sentence for offences relating to counterfeiting and common assault.

And they had already signed Chev Walker (Hull KR), Shaun Ainscough (Wigan), Olivier Elima (Catalans), Bryn Hargreaves (St Helens), Ian Sibbit (Salford) and New Zealander Patrick Ah Van.

Sydney-born Royston, who has signed a one-year deal at Odsal, came through the ranks at Cronulla Sharks.

But he does not count as an overseas player because of his time spent in England, having spent the last seven years playing in the second tier with Batley, Doncaster and Halifax.

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