Castleford land Hull FC star Liam Watts
Castleford Tigers have confirmed the signing of Liam Watts from Hull FC on a three-year deal with immediate effect.
The 27-year-old will join the Tigers until the end of the 2020 season.
Watts started his career with Hull Kingston Rovers before moving to city rivals Hull FC in 2012, where he has gone on to win back-to-back Challenge Cup trophies.
And the prop forward is delighted to be joining the 2017 League Leaders Shield winners.
He said: “I’m really excited to be joining Castleford. It’s a move that has come around quickly but one that I couldn’t let pass me by. I’m looking forward to getting started and pulling on the famous jersey.
“I’m really looking forward to linking up with the rest of the forwards here at Cas. If there was one team in the league that was going to suit my style of play then it’s definitely Castleford. They are a big set of lads here but they are a good set of lads also.”
Jon Wells, Castleford director of rugby, said: “Liam is an experienced, top line, hard-nosed forward who we feel will be an outstanding addition to an exceptional and motivated group of players.
“At 27, Liam is entering the prime years of his career and we are delighted that he will be spending those years at Castleford. He will be joining us immediately and will begin training as a Tiger tomorrow.”
“We would like to thank Hull FC – and in particular Chairman Adam Pearson – as well as Liam’s agent David Howes for their professionalism in the smooth and expedient handling of this transfer.”
Hull FC head coach, Lee Radford, said:
“I would like to wish Liam all the best moving forward and hope he can find some consistency off the field to benefit his career in the future.
“We have some great, young, enthusiastic front rowers coming through at the club who are appreciate our values and behaviours and they will benefit from more game time.
“I’m really looking forward to watching these players progress and develop over the next few years.”
Watts will link up with his new team-mates immediately but will have to wait until Castleford’s round eight clash with rivals Wakefield Trinity due to a suspension he picked up while at Hull FC.