Hull KR sign Ryan Bailey as Costigan leaves
Hull KR have signed Ryan Bailey from Leeds Rhinos on a two-year contract, the day after confirming that Neville Costigan was leaving.
Bailey has played for England and Great Britain, as well as winning six Grand Finals, three World Club Challenge titles and one Challenge Cup with Leeds.
The aggressive prop is relishing a new start in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
“I’ve achieved a lot of things at Leeds over a 14-year period but I’m ready for a new challenge at Hull KR,” said the 30-year-old.
“It was a difficult decision to leave Leeds, I was born in the city and I’ve won some great finals with the club but now I want to bring some of that experience to Rovers.
“It’s going to be a big challenge but I’m looking forward to it and I’ll be meeting it head on.
“The fans are really passionate and hopefully we can breed a winning culture and start getting to finals. We’ve got some really ambitious players who want to win things here at Hull KR and hopefully I can add to that and bring a bit of grunt up front.”
Bailey is also looking forward to meeting his former club early on in 2015.
“We’ve got a big game at the start of the season against Leeds and that will be a perfect way to hopefully make my debut,” he added.
“I know from experience that the ground is a daunting place to go to, it’s tough for opposition teams and we’ve got to make the most of that.
“I know the ins and outs of all the players at Leeds so hopefully I can pass on a few things to Chezzy and we can get a win first game of the season to get us up and running.”
Bailey also had some fond words for the Leeds fans.
“I would like to thank Leeds for a great career so far,” he added.
“I would like to thank the fans for the support they have given me throughout my career and I will never forget all the good times.
“I am moving on to a new chapter in my life and I am looking forward to testing myself at a new club.
“I have loads of great memories and it would be too difficult to single out one game or moment that was better than any other.
“It has been a privilege to play alongside some of the legends of our game and to have achieved everything there is possible to win is something very special. I have played in 18 Finals, which is a great honour and I would like to thank all my coaches who have selected me for those biggest of games.
“Some great players go their whole career and never play in one Final so I appreciate how fantastic my time at the Rhinos has been.
“My first game for Hull KR will be at home against Leeds, which I presume will be a little weird beforehand but once that whistle goes and the game starts, I’ll be fully focused on the job in hand.”
Rovers confirmed on Thursday evening that PNG international Neville Costigan was leaving the club, issuing the following statement:
“Hull Kingston Rovers can confirm that Neville Costigan has resigned from his contract with the club and will remain in Australia for personal reasons.
“Whilst the club are understandably disappointed with the timing of the decision by Neville not to return for the 2015 season, every effort will now be made to find a suitable replacement in the forwards for Super League XX.”