York land international winger for 2022

York have signed Scotland international winger Will Oakes from Dewsbury for the 2022 Championship campaign.

The 22-year-old joined Dewsbury ahead of last season from Hull KR. He went on to make 14 appearances for the Rams in 2021.

Oakes enjoyed loan two loan spells at York in 2018 and 2019, scoring 14 tries in 24 matches for the Knights.

York coach James Ford said: “Will is still a very young man with lots of room for growth. He’s already played Super league with Hull KR and is very keen to get back to those levels and beyond.

“Will is a very strong ball carrier and showed in his previous stint with the club that he is a top class finisher.”

Oakes said: “I’m really happy to be back again. It’s a place I’ve been before and hopefully I can enjoy my time with York as much as I have previously.

“I know him (James Ford) obviously from my previous spells. I feel like I’ve played quite well under Fordy so hopefully I can kick on even further under him. I’ve just enjoyed all my time at York previously and that’s where I want to be again.”

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Oakes has scored four tries in five games for Scotland since making his international debut in 2017. He played in the last World Cup and is set to win his sixth cap in Sunday’s test against Jamaica.

He added: “It’s always exciting to pull on that shirt for Scotland so hopefully we can have a big game on Sunday and then keep pushing towards the World Cup at the end of next season.”

Will Oakes to join Jordan Thompson at York

York have signed forward Jordan Thompson from Leigh for 2022.

Thompson, 30, had a brief spell with the Knights back in 2011 on dual-registration from Castleford.

He has made more than 250 appearances in his career for the Tigers, Centurions, Hull FC and Leeds.

Ford said: “I’m absolutely delighted to get Jordy over the line, he’s a very competitive player with an outstanding skill set for a middle.

“Jordy will add a significant amount of tenacity to our team, something that I was very keen to add to our team and squad.”

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