Castleford Tigers bring in former Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls player Alex Foster on trial

Foster, 23, made eight Super League appearances for Rhinos in 2013 before spells with London Broncos in 2014 - alongside current Tigers duo Mike McMeeken and Matt Cook - and Featherstone Rovers the following year.

He returned to London last season and then joined Bradford Bulls for 2017, but became a free-agent when the club ceased trading.

Foster - the first player from amateur club Wetherby Bulldogs to feature in Super League - said: “I'm really excited about the opportunity [chief executive] Steve Gill and [coach] Daryl Powell have given me.

“It was a no-brainer when I found out there was some interest. Castleford is a great club with a proud history. They have gone from strength to strength in the last few years,"

Foster added: "I'm itching to go, but for the first month or so I'll be completing my groin injury rehab and then I hope to nail down a contract here.

“I feel like Cas is a place where I can really improve as a player under Daryl and his coaching team.

“After talking with Daryl I am not narrowing myself down to one single position, I've played back row, centre and loose-forward over the past few years and I'm happy to come into the team and play anywhere I am needed."

Powell said: “Alex is a player I have always been impressed with, since his time at London when he played against us.

“With Larne Patrick and Oliver Holmes both still being injured I think we are looking a little bit skinny moving forward, especially towards the Easter period and so I thought it was a great opportunity to get Alex in.

"It’ll probably be a few weeks before he is fit and used to what we do, but I think he will really strengthen our forward pack and I’m delighted to welcome him on board. He can play in a number of positions including centre, back-row and in the middle, so I think he’ll give us some great options and maintain our strength in depth while we still have those couple of injuries.”