YORK KNIGHTS SIGN NEWCASTLE THUNDER FORWARD CONNOR BAILEY

York Knights RLFC signed forward Connor Bailey from Newcastle Thunder on a two-year deal.

Bailey joins York from Newcastle, having 72 appearances across the last three seasons with Thunder, scoring 11 tries. 

The 23-year-old began his professional journey with Wakefield Trinity, making five appearances for the then-Betfred Super League club during the 2020 season.

Bailey arrives in North Yorkshire primarily as a back-rower, but will also bring utility value to Andrew Henderson's squad, having also played loose forward, half-back, centre and hooker during his career.

On signing for the Knights, Bailey said: "I'm over the moon to have signed for the Knights! York is definitely a Club that is going in the right direction and pushing to reach the top.

"I'm privileged to be part of this team and Club and I can't wait to get started.

"Having met up with Hendo and Clint and spoken to them about where they want the Club to go and what their goals are, I'd have been silly to turn it down!

"This is a Club that I'm really excited to be part of and I'm already looking forward to 2024."

Head Coach Andrew Henderson added: "I'm really excited to be able to bring Connor to the York Knights.

"Connor is another relatively young player to come on board, with past experience through the system at Wakefield Trinity and at Newcastle, where I thought he was one of their stand-out players in 2023.

"He's got the athletic potential to be a Betfred Super League player of the future and he's got great skills for a forward.

"I see him as a ball-playing loose forward or a back-rower on an edge. He's got a tremendous skill-set, great leg speed and athletically he has all the attributes needed to be a quality player of the future."

Bailey becomes the 21st confirmed squad member for the 2024 season alongside Jesse Dee, AJ Towse, Ata Hingano, Conor Fitzsimmons, Jordan Thompson, James Cunningham, Myles Harrison, Ronan Michael, Jack Teanby, Ukuma Ta'ai, Pauli Pauli, Harry Price, Brenden Santi, Levi Edwards, Oli Field, Will Dagger and Jimmy Keinhorst, Taylor Pemberton and Nikau Williams.