Hull sign NRL veteran Minichiello
Hull FC have recruited experienced NRL backrower Mark Minichiello for the 2015 season, with the 32-year-old inking a two-year deal.
The highly experienced NRL star, who is currently with the Gold Coast Titans, has a career which stretches back to 2002.
He has played over 250 NRL games during 13 seasons in the competition, having spent spells at Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs, as well as Gold Coast.
He represented Italy at last year’s World Cup, and has also played in five straight City Origin series between 2007 and 2011.
He is the brother of fellow NRL star Anthony Minichiello, and is delighted to be extending his career in England.
“It is going to be a new challenge for me and I am really looking forward to it I can’t wait to get over there and experience a different league,” he said.
“It was a big decision, I have been in the NRL for thirteen seasons now and have played over 250 games here but I think it was maybe just the right time for me to make the change and I guess accept a new challenge.
“I have always had dreams of playing in the Super League, and when this deal and opportunity came about, I just thought it was the right time to jump in and experience something new.
“Hull is a club with a long history, is one of the bigger clubs over there and from what I hear the fans are very passionate about rugby league, they have a good culture for rugby.
“So when offered the chance to come over and play that was really the only offer I needed to make my decision.”
Lee Radford is delighted to have added such an experienced player to his back row options, having lost Chris Tuson to retirement this season.
“Mark brings vast experience to the club, not just in terms of his ability and game sense on the field, but a wealth of knowledge and the right way to conduct yourself off it,” said the Hull coach.
“It’s been a long time coming, we’ve been talking to Mark and his management about coming to Hull for some time and it is difficult at the moment to bring in players of his calibre from the NRL, you only have to look at who we were in competition with to see why.
“But he has made all the right noises about the club, the opportunity to play Super League and seems extremely committed to making the move which has been pleasing.
“It’s a new chapter for him and I know he is full of enthusiasm and can’t wait to get started. He will be a big influence on some of our younger blokes and a real hit with the fans, I’m sure.”