Castleford sign Joe Wardle from Knights

Newcastle Knights centre Joe Wardle will return to the Super League in 2018 after signing with the Castleford Tigers.

Wardle, 25, joins the Tigers for the 2018 season on a three-year deal.

Scottish International Wardle, who can play in the centre and the back row, made 141 appearances for Huddersfield Giants before heading to Newcastle Knights in December 2016 on a three-year deal. Wardle has made 15 appearances for the Knights this season.

Wardle and his family were keen to move back to the UK and there was only one club the former Giant wanted to join:

Speaking today Wardle said: “I would just like to say thank you to Newcastle for working alongside me in what has been a hard time adjusting to life down under. Rugby careers are short so happiness is key and sometimes things don’t work out, which is, unfortunately, the case. I am really looking forward to getting back home, getting my family settled and teaming up with Daryl and the rest of the boys for the 2018 campaign.”

Tigers head coach Daryl Powell is delighted to welcome Wardle into his ranks: “Joe Wardle is a player that I have been a fan of for a number of years since his time at Huddersfield. I am delighted that on returning to England he has decided that we are the club to help him achieve his goals in the game,”

Powell added: “He is a tough player on both sides of the game being a great line runner on attack and a solid aggressive defender. He can play in both centre and back row positions which strengthens us significantly and grows our competition for places within an already awesome squad. I look forward to his arrival at the club and getting him accustomed to how we play.”