BY PERRY LEFKO
sportsnet.ca

Expect the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to soon announce that star receiver Arland Bruce has signed a contract extension and for the Saskatchewan to do likewise with offensive tackle Dan Goodspeed, sources tell Sportsnet.

Bruce joined the Ticats midway through the 2009 season in a trade with Toronto and has become a key part of the team’s offence and overall personality.

He was entering the option year of a contract that paid him at least $180,000 a year. Sources say Bruce will receive a signing bonus of at least $40,000.

Goodspeed joined the Roughriders from Hamilton as a free agent in 2010 and was also heading into his option year.

Similar to Bruce, Goodspeed’s bonus may be for as much as $40,000.

According to league sources, the deals are part of a continuing trend by players seeking up-front money, which for Americans can be lucrative because the U.S. financial system taxes athletes only 15 per cent on bonuses.

For players seeking money now rather than waiting for cheques once training camp or the regular-season starts, the bonuses are a tradeoff for agreeing to extend their contracts, possibly for a lesser salary.

Meanwhile, indications are growing that free-agent defensive tackle Adriano Belli is nearing a decision and source tell Sportsnet he will choose the Hamilton Tiger-Cats over his hometown Argos.

Belli has played for Toronto since 2007. He played for Hamilton from 2004-2006.

Sources say the difference in the offers between the two teams is that the Ticats are willing to pay more in up-front in bonus money.

One source said the Ticats are keen to have Belli undergo a physical so they can announce his signing next week and cash in on the publicity.

Retired Tiger-Cat great Angelo Mosca has already tried to persuade Belli to wear his jersey No. 68 if he signs in Steeltown.

Belli told Sportsnet he asked the teams to make their best offers and he would make a decision. He met with Tiger-Cats’ general manager Bob O’Billovich earlier this week, sources tell Sportsnet.