NRL: Orford signs with Raiders

Matt Orford. Photo / Getty Images

Former Manly halfback Matt Orford has agreed to a one-year deal with the Canberra Raiders for the 2011 NRL season.

He needs to finalise his release from UK Super League side Bradford before the deal is official but he will begin training with the Green Machine on Wednesday.

Orford, a former Dally M winning halfback, left the NRL at the end of 2009 and played last season with the Bulls but has made it clear for months that he intended to return to Australia.

Orford will provide the Raiders with a quality play-maker after Kangaroo test five-eighth Terry Campese injured his knee at the end of last season. Campese is set to miss the first half of the 2011 season.

- NEWSTALK ZB