Hape has secured an early release from his contract with the engage Super League club and will leave on June 30 after a six-year stint.

The Bulls say they have received an undisclosed fee for granting that request.

Hape, 26, is the obvious replacement for Bath’s England centre Olly Barkley, who played his final game for the west country club in yesterday’s European Challenge Cup final victory over Worcester before joining Gloucester later this summer.

New Zealand international Hape, who qualifies for England on residency grounds, is out of contract with the Bulls later this year.

And he is now poised to follow his former Bulls colleague Lesley Vainikolo into the Premiership. Vainikolo signed for Gloucester last year, then won five England caps during this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Bath are no strangers to recruiting rugby league players, having landed Jason Robinson and Henry Paul on short-term winter contracts in 1996.

Hape said: “It was a very difficult decision to make because the Bulls have done so much for me.

“They took me in as a kid - I was only 21 - and I only planned on staying a couple of years, but I loved the club’s family-orientated feel, the atmosphere, the coaches, players and the fans.

“They made me want to stay and now it’s my second home. I will never forget Bradford.

“The main reason was the opportunities rugby union can offer me, but also I feel I needed a change and a new challenge.

“I have been at Bradford for six years and believe the best thing for me and my family is to move on.”

Hape joined the Bulls from New Zealand Warriors and has scored 83 tries in 131 games, while also making 14 Test match appearances for New Zealand.

Bulls coach Steve McNamara said: “Shontayne is a fantastic player and he has been a great servant to Bradford Bulls.

“He will be a big loss to us, but I fully understand his position.

“Everyone has big decisions to make at certain stages of their careers and Shontayne is at a crossroads and has decided to follow a certain path.

“He goes with our blessing. He has put his heart and soul into Bradford Bulls and we would not stand in the way of this opportunity. I wish him every success in the future.”
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