Kieran Hudson joins Tigers

The 21-year-old has signed a full-time deal with the Tigers and will link back up with Whitehaven for the 2022 Betfred Championship season on loan.

Speaking to castlefordtigers.com Hudson said: “It’s a bit surreal to be fair, it’s something a lad always dreams of doing playing rugby league from a young age. I’m excited to get started!

“I got involved in rugby league at school, people coming and teaching us, and I have a bit of history in my family, my grandad (John Holmes) played for Leeds.”

Hudson has impressed in his opening matches for Haven, who have been supportive of the big young forward securing a top-flight contract with Castleford.

“After I left Newcastle, I got in contact with Jonty (Gorley) the manager there, started pre-season with them, and played a few games.

“They are a similar club in terms of greeting you with open arms, it’s a family-orientated club and it’s nice to be around there enjoying your rugby.”

As a youngster, Kieran was with Sunderland’s goalkeeping team before joining the sport of rugby league a bit later than most youngsters do.

“I played for Sunderland academy from when I was nine until about sixteen, so I did join rugby league quite late. I should be good with my hands! Being around that sort of environment, the professional environment, I think that will help me quite a lot.”

Still developing his game Kieran will be able to get valuable minutes with the Championship club, whilst also working within the Tigers training environment.

“Lee (Radford) wants me to be around the lads and learn from the more experienced players and hopefully take some of their skills on board for me. I would say I’m fairly new to the sport, but I’ve got some transferable skills.

“Get some more game time under my belt, get that ball in my hands, and when I’m down in Cas just being around people and getting some experience and taking some of that knowledge back up north.”

Castleford Tigers Head Coach Lee Radford spoke about the news and said: “He has got some physical attributes that no coach can implement in someone. He is six foot five, he’s very aggressive in contact, and carries the ball as hard as he can, that acceleration into contact is exciting, and putting him in a full-time rugby environment for the first time will only benefit him.

“I didn’t spot him in goal for Sunderland, and whilst his background is not conventional, but Newcastle is an area where rugby league is trying to promote and grow the game, he’s come through that system and gone over to Whitehaven this season.

“With the games I have watched of him, and having met him, he seems a really nice kid and is willing to learn. With the middles we have at the club such as Westerman and Watts, hopefully, we can upskill him in his rugby IQ as well.”