Hunslet pull off Ben Heaton coup

League 1 side Hunslet have signed centre Ben Heaton from Halifax on a one-year deal, with an option for a further 12 months.

Heaton, 28, has scored 58 tries in more than 130 appearances for Halifax, including eight in 18 last season.

He said: “I am excited to have signed for Hunslet and I am looking forward to the new challenge ahead.

“I have heard nothing but good things about the club which made my decision to join the club and drop down a division an easy one.

“I am ready for a big season and I cannot wait to get into it.

“GT is putting a strong squad together and I am excited about the season ahead and getting this club back to where it belongs.”

Hunslet have been busy re-building following a disappointing 2018 and handed new deals to seven players earlier in the week, as well as announcing the signing of half-back Danny Nicklas.

Coach Gary Thornton said: “This is another quality signing for us, and a fantastic addition to our squad.

“Ben has played a major role at Halifax for a number of seasons, which has seen them become a regular top four Championship side, and to be able to bring a player of this proven quality and experience into our group is a major coup.

“As soon as we were alerted of his availability we threw our hat into the ring, and obviously had to beat of a number of other clubs for his sought after signature.

“Our ambitious plans for the future appealed to him and he chose to come on board.

“He will primarily be used at centre, although he is equally at home in the back row or on the wing, and so provides some flexibility and utility value too.

“Ben is highly regarded and respected within our game, and he will add to our attacking options out wide, but he is also a strong defender.

“He has been at some very good clubs at the high end of the Championship, and his experience will be hugely important to our group.”