Castleford Tigers have signed Daniel Igbinedion from Oxford RL on a two year deal.
The prop or second rower played 21 times for the Blues during 2016, where he scooped the Most Improved Player award at the club’s end-of-season awards presentation evening.
Igbinedion, 22, rose through the Academy ranks at London Broncos before moving to Oxford.
Igbinedion, or “Iggy“ as he’s known to his team-mates, was invited by Tigers head coach Daryl Powell to spend a week in the full time environment following positive reports by Oxford’s head coach Tim Rumford.
And he is looking forward to the challenge ahead as he steps up to the full time environment at Castleford.
“I’m really thankful to Castleford Tigers for giving me the opportunity to further my rugby career,” he said.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for me and one that I will grab with both hands. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in to pre season and getting to know my new team mates. Cas is a fantastic club with a great fan base and I can’t wait to get started.”
Tigers head coach Daryl Powell said: “Daniel played at Oxford last year and trained with us for a week during the season. He is exceptionally strong and determined to achieve his potential as a player. I’m keen to see how he develops within our system and I’m looking forward to working with him in his first full pre-season as a full-time player.”
Castleford CEO Steve Gill added: “Daniel spent some time this year with our first grade and really impressed us. He gives us a real underbelly at the club with some real promising youngsters now within our ranks. I’d like to thank Daniel’s agent Dave Peet for his help with this signing. ”
Oxford coach Tim Rumford said: “Dan has worked really hard this year in a very young team and has responded well to the challenges which we set him throughout the season. His attitude and commitment have been great and Dan leaves Oxford with everyone’s best wishes. Dan is a good athlete, he’s surprised us with his skills at times too. There’s no better place for him to fulfil his potential than with Daryl and the coaching team at the Tigers. Castleford have a great environment which young players thrive in, it’s an exciting new challenge for Dan. It’s heartening to see the talent in the south of England continuing to emerge. It’s encouraging too for Oxford, as it’s a clear sign that we have a good environment ourselves and one which allows players to progress and achieve.”
