Castleford sign Mariano

Castleford have signed Wakefield back rower Frankie Mariano for the 2014 season.

Mariano, 26, joined the Wildcats after coming through the Hull KR academy system.

In Wakefield colours he has so far made 46 Super League appearances, scoring 14 tries, but he will leave at the end of the season when his contract expires to take up a one-year deal with the Tigers.

Mariano has already played under Castleford coach Daryl Powell, during a loan spell at Featherstone Rovers, and he is looking forward to linking up with him again.

He said, “I know Daryl from being at Featherstone and it will be good to work with him again. I feel comfortable talking to him and having worked with him already I don’t class him as a new person so that was a big part of the move.

“It feels good to sign for Castleford Tigers – hopefully I will have a really good season next year and it should be fun.

“I will be fighting to earn a longer contract, but I will be focussing on playing, getting game time and finding some consistency.”

Mariano, who can also play in the centres, did add that he will be fully focused on doing well for his current club in the time being.

“For now all my concentration will be on doing a good job for the remainder of this season with Wakefield, but come 2014 then I’ll give everything I’ve got for Castleford Tigers.”