Hull KR confirm Iain Thornley has signed for 2016
Hull KR have revealed that they have signed centre Iain Thornley from Wigan for the 2016 season.
The 6’4″ 23-year-old, who is currently on loan at Salford, has signed a two-year deal.
“I’m really looking forward to a new challenge with Hull KR and getting back to my best,” Thornley told www.hullkr.co.uk
“I’m pretty good friends with Daz Goulding and he told me how good a club it is and how good the lads were. He settled in really easily and I just fancied a new challenge with Hull KR. I wanted to come over there and get back to that form I had before I got injured.
“I feel a lot better now, I’ve ticked all the boxes coming back from injury and I’ve been playing quite a bit on dual reg. I’ve signed for Salford until the end of the season to get some game time at Super League level and that will do me the world of good. I’ll get some match fitness and then I can come over to Hull tip top and ready for next season.
“I know Chris Chester pretty well too and he was keen for me to come over there. He thought there was a spot for me in the squad to challenge for and I’m excited about that competition for places.
“I’m only 23 but I’ve played in cup finals, Grand Finals and big play-off matches so hopefully I can bring that experience with me and make a good impression. I want to keep it simple when I get over there, get used to everybody and hopefully nail down a starting spot.
“If the club can do as good as they’ve done this year in getting to a Challenge Cup final, I don’t think anybody would complain about that but we want to be pushing into that top eight as well and hopefully I can play my part next season.”
Rovers coach Chris Chester is pleased that a player of such defensive quality is joining his squad.
“Iain will be a fantastic addition to our squad for next year and we are really looking forward to having him on board,” he said.
“He’s got plenty of experience of playing in big matches considering his age and he will add size, speed and skill to our side from 2016.
“Defensively, he is very good as well and he will add further depth to the squad in the centre and wing positions.
“I’ve spoken to Iain a lot over the last couple of weeks and I know how excited he is by this challenge.
“He’s got international pedigree at youth level and I’ve no doubt he has the potential to really kick on during his time with us as a key member of our side.”