Hull FC sign Walker

Hull FC have confirmed the signing of fullback Jack Walker for the 2024 Betfred Super League season.

Walker - who spent part of the 2022 campaign on loan with the Airlie Birds - re-joins the club from cross-city rivals Hull KR on a two-year deal.

The 24-year-old won the Betfred Super League Grand Final in his debut season with Leeds Rhinos back in 2017 and went on to feature 75 times for the Rhinos, scoring 22 tries.

Walker joined Hull FC on loan in 2022 from the Rhinos before making a permanent move to Betfred Championship side Bradford Bulls ahead of the 2023 season. After making just seven appearances for the Bulls he would be snapped up by Hull KR for the latter half of the season.

His performances in 2018 earned him an international call-up with the fullback featuring for England Knights against Papua New Guinea at the Oil Search National Football Stadium, Port Moresby. 

On the move, Walker said: "I really enjoyed my time here in 2022; the fans are awesome, and I feel like I learnt a lot in the short space of time I was here too. I formed some great relationships too and although there's been plenty of changes since then, I can't wait to link up with some familiar faces again, and with my new teammates.

"There are some hungry young players in the squad who, like me, are determined to push themselves to the next level, including in the spine ? the competition for places with the likes of Tex [Hoy] and Davy [Litten] is a healthy thing to have and we can help each other become better players.

"Although I've been here before, it's a new challenge for me ? I've heard some great stuff about Tony [Smith] as a coach, and I'm excited by the new signings coming in too.

"I feel like I've proved this season that I'm capable of playing week in, week out - I've done a lot of work on my body in the last twelve months and that hard work is paying off. I'm still only 24 so I?m still looking to improve and learn, and I can definitely do that next season under Tony."

Hull FC Head Coach Tony smith added: "Jack is an exciting young player, and the fact he is still young makes him all the more exciting for us.

"He adds to our depth and versatility in the back line with a number of young players in there. Jack does a lot of very good things, he is a very talented player which our fans had a glimpse of during his loan spell here last season.

"I am always attracted to players with ambition and desire to get better and Jack certainly tickets all of the right boxes in that department. He has a first-class, professional attitude and he is a player I am really looking forward to working with."