Hull Kingston Rovers have made their first new signing for next season with the capture of Wigan Warriors centre Darrell Goulding on a three-year contract from 2015.
The 26-year-old will finish the current campaign with the reigning Super League and Challenge Cup winners before linking up with the Robins for pre-season training in November.
An ex-England international, Goulding has racked up more than 150 top flight appearances for his hometown club since his debut in 2005 and has twice appeared in both the Grand Final and the World Club Challenge with the Warriors.
Adding considerable experience to the Robins’ backline from next season, the former Wigan St Patrick’s amateur says he can’t wait to get started at the KC Lightstream Stadium.
He said: “I think I needed a new challenge at this stage of my career and there were a few clubs interested. I spoke to them all but the ambition at Hull KR really stood out.
“Speaking to Craig Sandercock and Chris Chester, it’s definitely a club that’s going places and the fact they wanted me so much was a really good feeling to have.
“I’d love to repay their faith in me by coming over and getting back to my best form again. It’s a new opportunity and one that I think will probably reignite me.
“I’ve been fortunate to be part of a lot of success at Wigan and that’s something I’d love to replicate at Rovers. I’d love to be pushing for success over the next couple of years and there’s no reason why we can’t.
“I’m also looking forward to the challenge of being one of the more experienced players in the outside backs and working with some of the young guys at the club as well.”
