Hull Kingston Rovers have signed Huddersfield half-back Jamie Ellis on a one-year loan, TotalRL understands.
Ellis, formerly of Hull FC, was told recently that he could leave the Giants by head coach Rick Stone, which caught the attention of the new Hull Kingston Rovers chief Tim Sheens.
Despite starting the 2016 season well, a shoulder injury picked up in March meant Ellis missed the next 10 weeks, and he failed to recapture his form thereafter.
He made 18 appearances for the Giants last season, but he was dropped by Stone for their final two Qualifiers games against Leeds and Hull KR as Huddersfield secured Super League safety.
His departure comes just six months after he signed a new contract with the Giants, tieing him down to the club until 2019.
But with the Giants head coach planning a major shake-up within the club’s playing roster, Ellis is the latest player to be moved on by the club to make space for new players on the salary cap.
He will become the seventh player to leave the club, with Jake Connor, Eorl Crabtree, Scott Grix, Josh Johnson, Larne Patrick and Kyle Wood already departing.
The 27-year-old’s arrival is a major coup for the Robins, with Ellis spending the vast majority of his career in Super League.
Starting his career at St Helens, he joined Leigh Centurions in 2011 before returning to Super League with Hull FC in 2012. A year later joined Castleford, where he stayed for three seasons before signing for Huddersfield.
Ellis will be Rovers’ fourth new addition to the squad and will help replace outgoing half-backs Terry Campese and Albert Kelly. Nick Scruton, George Milton, Mitch Clark and Danny Addy have already joined the club.