New Zealand rugby league international Shontayne Hape has switched codes, signing a three-year deal with premiership rugby side Bath.

Hape has secured an early release from his contract with the Bradford Bulls and will leave this weekend, the Cheshire News reported on its website.

The Bulls said they had received an undisclosed fee for granting Hape an early release.

Hape, 26, is the obvious replacement for Bath's England centre Olly Barkley, who played his final game for the west country club in Sunday's European Challenge Cup final victory over Worcester.

Barkley is joining Gloucester.

"The main reason was the opportunities rugby union can offer, but I also feel I need a new challenge," Hape said.

Hape, who qualifies for England on residency grounds, is now poised to follow his former Bulls colleague Lesley Vainikolo into the Premiership.

Vainikolo signed for Gloucester last year and has since won five England caps.

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

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