Hardaker leaving Hull to join ambitious Knights

York Knights have signed former Great Britain international Zak Hardaker from Hull on a two-year contract.

Hardaker, who turns 35 next month, has been released from the final year of his Hull contract to take up the opportunity.

The 2015 Man of Steel will leave Hull at the end of the current Super League season after two years with the club.

"I'm really excited to be joining York for the '27 and '28 season," Hardaker told the club website, external.

"It's all come to fruition quickly but after hearing the aspirations of York and where they're wanting to go and the experience I can bring to the club and the squad, it made me very excited to join.

"I'm really looking forward to joining up with the team after the off-season and seeing what we can achieve together over the next few years."

Hardaker, who has scored 192 points for Hull in 46 appearances, was named the club's player of the year last season.

York will be the eighth club of a professional career that started with Featherstone in 2010 and delivered three Grand Final wins with Leeds.

"I'm delighted to have Zak over the line," said York head coach Mark Applegarth.

"He's the ultimate competitor. The best compliment I can give Zak is that every game I've watched him or previewed against him, he's the most competitive player on the field and that's what we want at York.

"He's a player that's been there and done it all in a long and illustrious career.

"We want those sort of values to reflect into bringing on our York team. We think he's going to be great for a few of our younger end.

"He leads by example and I'm really looking forward to seeing him in a York Knights shirt."

York lie a creditable tenth in their first season in Super League with one match remaining at home to Bradford on Thursday.