York City Knights bring in Australian centre for 2023

York City Knights have confirmed the signing of Australian centre Jesse Dee on a two-year deal following his departure from Newcastle Thunder. 

Dee, 27, spent the 2021 season with the north-east side in the Championship, having made the move from Queensland Cup side Mackay Cutters.

Handed shirt number three ahead of the 2022 campaign, Dee can also feature in the pack at back-row or loose forward.

Read: York City Knights sign Australian hooker for 2023

Dee on York City Knights move

He said: “With the Newcastle situation and going back to part-time, Clint reached out and said the Knights were interested. I had a chat with him and then spoke to a few of the lads and it went from there.

“I spoke with him when York came up to play Newcastle recently and he gave me a call later that week, that was good.

“Fordy said the team are looking for a ball playing middle so that could probably fit me. But I can also play back-row and some other positions. The plan will be to have a crack in pre-season and we’ll see where abouts I’ll fit in the team.

“It was a great chat with him, the ambition of where the club is at and where they want to go.”

Head coach James Ford added: “Jesse is a very talented and tough rugby player. He has played middle, edge back-row and filled in at half-back. He runs intelligent lines and can find a pass which is something on occasions we’ve lacked.

“We’re all looking forward to building a strong relationship and helping him have a great 2023.”

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