Hull FC transfer news: Overseas star man eyed up by two NRL clubs for 2024
Jake Clifford celebrates his try against St Helens with team-mates. Photo by James Heaton/News Images.
Hull FC overseas recruit and star half-back Jake Clifford has reportedly gained interest from two named NRL clubs for 2024.
Hull Daily Mail have reported that the Australian playmaker could be lining up a return to former club North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL for next season.
Additionally, The Daily Telegraph have said that Wests Tigers are also in the running to land the in-form Hull man.
The 25-year-old linked up with the Black & Whites ahead of the 2023 Super League campaign on a two-year deal from Newcastle Knights, with an NRL release clause in his contract.
NRL strugglers Wests Tigers, who currently sit at the bottom of the table, will lose key half-back Luke Brooks to Manly Sea Eagles in 2024, while the club is set to undergo a massive overhaul at the end of the season.
Clifford made 67 appearances in the competition Down Under, having made his debut with the Cowboys in 2018 against St George Illawarra Dragons.
He later made the switch to the Knights in 2021, featuring across two seasons before the move to England.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Salford’s Brodie Croft has also been looked at by Tim Sheens’ Wests Tigers, although the Australian 25-year-old recently signed a historic long-term contract with the Red Devils.
Former Huddersfield Giants half-back and current Penrith Panthers player Jack Cogger is another possibility, according to the reports.
The Cowboys, coached by Todd Payten, have halves Tom Dearden and Chad Townsend both signed up until the end of 2024, with the latter previously reaffirming his commitment to the club after being linked with an early exit from the side.
Jake Clifford impressing in Super League
Clifford has missed just one game in Super League so far this year, with 16 appearances under head coach Tony Smith.
He has crossed for six tries and produced an impressive 14 assists, the seventh-most in the competition.
Australian coach Smith, who took over ahead of 2023, was recently questioned about the reported links for his star man.
He told Hull Live: “If somebody comes circling and it’s serious, and that happens, then it happens.
“We understood that right from the start, but there isn’t anything that we are aware of or that we need to work on now in that respect.
“Jake’s playing well and drawing some attention. There’s always going to be speculation. In a funny sort of way, it’s a good thing; it means he’s playing well for us.
“Either way, there are no dramas.”
Clifford has been included in Hull’s 21-man squad for the derby this Sunday at Craven Park, live on Sky Sports.
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