Ex-Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Bulls & Hull KR star announces retirement after 16-year playing career
A former Leeds Rhinos Challenge Cup winner and Grand Finalist has retired after a 16-year playing career.
James Donaldson’s decision to hang up his boots was announced today (Monday) by his most recent club, Bradford Bulls. The 34-year-old made his professional debut as a Bulls player in 2009 and also featured for Hull KR before joining Rhinos ahead of the 2019 campaign, a decision he later said “changed my life”.
He played in Leeds’ Challenge Cup final win against Salford Red Devils the following year and featured when they lost to St Helens at Old Trafford in 2022. Donaldson rejoined Bulls last season, but his campaign was ended by the latest in a series of long-term knee injuries.
The Cumbrian forward was awarded a three-month testimonial two years ago for services to rugby league. In a message on social media, Rhinos said: “Congratulations to James Donaldson on an outstanding career after announcing his retirement today, a great servant for Leeds Rhinos and rugby league.”
Bulls chief executive Jason Hirst added: “James Donaldson embodies all that’s good in rugby league and what it takes to be a true professional, namely his moral compass, integrity, focus, dedication, desire, determination, discipline, durability, toughness and sheer will to succeed. All [are] attributes that will ensure James continues to be successful in the next chapter of his working life
“He has the total respect of everyone at Bradford Bulls, not to mention our wider sport. Despite many injury setbacks, James has had a stellar career, across a number of clubs and I’m privileged to have watched him serve our club so well across two spells and I am proud to know him.”