Ryan Atkins joins York’s push for Super League

York have signed Wakefield centre Ryan Atkins for the 2021 season.

Atkins, 34, is the fifth highest try scorer in Super League history with 186 tries for Trinity and Warrington, who he spent almost 10 seasons with before returning to Yorkshire last year.

He said: “One of the reasons I’ve joined is to get us promoted and playing in Super League. That stadium 100% deserves to be in Super League.

“I’m excited and I’ve not been excited for a while. Any good team needs experience and knowledge of the game and I’ll be trying to pass that on in training as much as I can.

“I want to help develop the club’s culture with the players, make that a winning culture and make winning a habit,” he explained. “I think my role will be to pass on my knowledge of what I know has worked at successful, winning teams at Warrington and lead by example.”

A former England international, Atkins is the latest in a line of experienced Super League veterans to confirm for the Knights’ Championship challenge next season.

Coach James Ford said: “Ryan is a big signing for us and I’m sure the supporters will be excited to watch him impose his physicality on our opponents.

“His track record speaks for itself – but I’m excited to work with someone who I feel will help lift standards on and off the field. We see Ryan as a leader and we’ll be expecting him to lead us right from the front.

“He’s been around some elite environments and I’m confident he will have a huge impact on us in 2021 and beyond.”