Bradford Bulls prop Bryn Hargreaves has retired from rugby league citing a lack of respect for players.

The 26-year-old made the decision following his side's match against Leeds Rhinos in July.

With Bradford's financial troubles in mind, Hargreaves has now decided to call time on his career.

"I didn't want my decision to impact upon anyone else or the club, so I said to the lads 'if you can keep it to yourself I'd appreciate it'," he told the Telegraph and Argus.

"Being a rugby league player is not a very sustainable and secure future as it is, but then you see what happened at Bradford and you think 'wow, the carpet can really be pulled from beneath me here'.

"We're pieces of meat at the end of the day and we're not treated with much respect in rugby league as it is."

Hargreaves joined the Bulls from St Helens in summer 2011.