Shenton the sign of things to come

Castleford chief executive Richard Wright says there are more big name signings to come, following last week’s capture of Michael Shenton.

Shenton, 25, will return to the club at the end of the season after spending the past two years at St Helens.

The Tigers have struggled in 2012, winning just five matches, which sees them seven points off the top eight.

But Wright has assured the club’s fans that plans are in place to re-build the team for next season.

He told the club’s official website: “The signing of Michael Shenton is the first of a number of quality recruits we have planned for next season.”

“It is great that Michael has bought in to coming back to the Tigers despite plenty of other options on the table. For Michael to commit what will most likely be his best years to the club is a real sign that he has totally bought in to our ambitions for the future.”

England centre Shenton scored 93 tries in 153 appearances for the Tigers after making his debut in 2004.

Wright added: “The aim is to secure an exciting long term backbone of a squad that will drive the club forward in the years ahead.

“We have agreed terms with another two players and are well down the track with a further two players that we believe will strengthen the squad considerably for next season.”

But Castleford could face another battle to keep stand-off Rangi Chase, who is being linked with Wigan, and have already lost young centre Joe Arundel, who joins another Castleford academy product in Joe Westerman at Hull.