Cougars sign Scotland international from Hull KR

Keighley Cougars have confirmed that they have signed Scotland international back rower Sonny Esslemont from Hull KR.

Esslemont has been released by Rovers, and is now looking forward to playing under Keighley coach Paul March.

He also feels that having spent plenty of time on loan with Newcastle Thunder in the past couple of seasons will stand him in good stead for life in League 1.

“I was obviously aware of the club after what happened with Danny Jones and then Josh Guzdek (Sonny’s former Hull KR teammate) came to Keighley on loan,” he said.

“I spoke with Guzzy and he spoke really high off the place and was really enjoying his time with Keighley.

“He also told me how good a coach that Paul March is because this is a club that is wanting to go places and push on.

“I spoke with Paul and he sold the club and spoke really highly too because he wants to push on in League One next season and to be honest, they were unlucky too miss out on promotion to the Championship this time.

“Being at Newcastle for the past two years definitely puts me at an advantage coming to Keighley but I know how tough a league it is.

“There is a big gap between the top four or five sides in the division and the rest and hopefully the Cougars can keep moving forward and stay as one of them top sides.”

Esslemont is also looking forward to representing Scotland again in this year’s European Championship.

“I played for Scotland last year and it did play a big part in my development as a player because it prepared me for Super League,” he added.

“When I got back to KR, I played a few games before heading back out to Newcastle but playing at the top level just wasn’t meant to be.”