Huddersfield pull off Aidan Sezer coup

Drew Darbyshire 28 Nov 2019 7:24 AM

Huddersfield have confirmed the signing of half-back Aidan Sezer from Canberra Raiders on a two-year marquee contract.

The 28-year-old has made more than 150 appearances in the NRL for Gold Coast Titans and the Raiders.

Sezer qualifies to represent Turkey on the international stage due to his Turkish father, and he played for the country in the 2018 Emerging Nations World Championship.

Sezer said: “It’s been a drawn out process for most of the year, but to have it all done is a great relief.

“Joining up with Simon [Woolford, coach] and the boys will be a relief – obviously it was a disappointing campaign last year for the Giants but the ambition of the club and the group is exciting. I’m really looking forward to get over there and have a successful campaign in 2020.

“I’ve followed the Super League pretty closely and I’ve always said I want to be a part of it and hopefully go over there and I’m delighted the chance come.

“I’ve got a good opportunity to play with the Giants and to play for a great club and hopefully we can have a successful campaign.”

Huddersfield coach Simon Woolford added: “Everyone knows he was my preferred pick in the crucial half-back area but to get a current NRL Grand Finalist over here in the prime of his career really is a massive boost for the Giants and the game as a whole.

“With over 150 career games in the NRL and experience of finals football, his pedigree speaks for itself and he will be a real asset for the team.

“He is an experienced organiser, a superb kicker of the ball both out of the hand and off the tee, and with his 83% kicking success rate, he’ll obviously become our primary kicker.

“His running game will complement the people around him and above all he is from a winning environment at Canberra and having enjoyed such a stellar season last year – he can bring a lot of that toughness and win at all costs mentality that successful teams need.”