OLDHAM have hailed a “major coup” after signing halfback Ata Hingano on a three-year deal following his departure from York Knights.
Hingano, 29, spent four years with York and was a Super League regular last season, first at stand-off then moving to loose-forward.
Born in New Zealand but capped eight times by Tonga, Hingano has NRL experience with the Warriors in his home city of Auckland as well as Canberra Raiders, and briefly featured for Salford and Leigh in Super League.
He’ll join fullbacks Connor Sayner and Max Flanagan, signed from Keighley and Rochdale respectively, and ex-Sheffield hooker Reiss Butterworth in a new-look Oldham spine following the loss of Jack Walker, Josh Drinkwater and Morgan Smith.
Chairman Terry Flanagan, who took over the club in June alongside another former player in Martin Hall, said: “Signing Ata is a major coup for us.
“We see him being integral to our team and plans going forward. Our mutual commitment is a sign of the positive momentum we are building.”
Hingano was key to York winning the Championship League Leaders’ Shield and 1895 Cup in 2025, and Oldham boss Alan Kilshaw said his club’s ambition was key to securing the signing.
“Ata is a talented footballer with a strong kicking and passing game,” said Kilshaw, who is preparing for a first full season as coach after a third-place finish and play-off semi-final this year.
“His ability to play in a number of positions will give us some good options next season.
“One of the biggest things for me throughout the conversations with Ata was that he wanted to come to Oldham for the right reasons.
“He had other opportunities available to him which were financially more rewarding, but he bought into what we are trying to build here and wants to be part of it.
“I think that says a lot about him as a person, and the type of characters we want to bring into the club.”
