ROCHDALE HORNETS have signed forward Matty Unsworth from North Wales Crusaders and Jordan Syme from Hunslet on one-year deals.

Unsworth, 29, made 18 appearances over two seasons with North Wales, his only professional club, although just five came in this year’s League One title-winning effort.

Hornets chairman Andy Mazey said: “Matty is a player who fits the profile of what we are looking for perfectly, and someone I know (head coach) Gary Thornton is looking forward to working with.

“He’s gained valuable experience at North Wales over the past couple of seasons, having originally come through at Salford, and he’s another player whose best years, we believe, are still to come.

“He’s a real quality second-row forward and has been on our radar for a while.”

Syme, 28, returns for a third spell, having first joined Rochdale on loan in 2018 before a three-year stay, making 35 appearances in total.

He has spent the past four seasons at Hunslet, scoring eleven tries in 88 games.

Mazey said of Syme: “We’re thrilled to have secured the services of such a hard-working and skilful loose-forward who was described as ‘Mr Consistent’ by Hunslet supporters.”