Sheffield Eagles have confirmed the signing of hooker Keal Carlile on a contract until the end of 2016.
Carlile has most recently played for Hull KR in Super League, where he has made 29 appearances in the last two seasons.
He previously played for Bradford and Huddersfield, and has experience outside of Super League during short-term spells with Barrow and Gateshead.
Eagles boss Mark Aston is delighted to add Carlile to his squad ahead of this weekend’s Challenge Cup tie with Oldham at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Aston said: “Keal has come out of Super League and has good pedigree.
“He is a player we had identified to us a couple of years ago, we did our homework on him but we thought we had missed the opportunity because he was in Super League.
“We are delighted to bring him into the club until the end of 2016. He is a good kid, and is still only 25. He has his best years in front of him.
“Blake South has taken the decision to go home – so it is an area we needed to strengthen.
“Greg Burns is coming along nicely, and we’re happy with him, but he is not quite the finished article and isn’t quite ready to play at this level week in, week out.
“Keal has been in and around Super League for the last few years, and has played a lot of games with Hull KR in the last two seasons.
“He has come through the systems with the England Academy and will strengthen our group.”
