Top try-scorer AJ Towse has signed a new one-year deal with York Knights

Towse progressed through the ranks at local community club Heworth ARLFC before going on to debut for York in 2021.

The winger broke through as a regular for the Knights the following year, scoring eight tries in 18 appearances as York reached the Betfred Championship Play-Off Semi-Finals.

Towse's performances saw him shortlisted for the 2022 Betfred Championship Young Player of the Year.

The 20-year-old continued his career progression in 2023, bagging 20 tries in an ever-present 34 appearances as the Knights secured a place in the Betfred Championship Play-Offs for a second season running for the first time in the Club's history since reformation.

Towse was again nominated for the Betfred Championship Young Player of the Year in 2023 and also won this year's Knights Supporters Society Player of the Year.

On extending his stay at York, Towse said: "It's great to have re-signed with my hometown club, having really enjoyed this season here at the Club.

"To get the opportunity to play week-in, week-out this season has been awesome, especially around this set of lads.

"We had a really good year in 2023 and I'm excited to see what we can do next year!"

Head Coach Andrew Henderson added: “I’m really pleased to have retained AJ for the 2024 season. AJ is a homegrown talent, who showed people what he was about in 2022 when he made his breakthrough into the first-team and in 2023, he was an ever-present, which is only going to bode well for his development.

“AJ is someone that showed a lot of progression and growth in his game in 2023 and I still believe that there is more he can learn and more room for him to develop.

“I’m really excited that myself and the rest of the coaching staff will have the opportunity to work further with AJ and hopefully he’ll continue to progress on his journey here at York.”