Castleford Tigers: Former Featherstone back Hitchcox signed by Tigers

The Australian has joined Tigers for the 2016 season, with a club option to extend the deal beyond that.

Hitchcox, 25, can play in the full-back, wing and centre positions. He made four NRL appearances for West Tigers in 2014 and scored 11 tries in 25 games for Rovers this year.

He has also had spells with Gold Coast Titans, Melbourne Storm and rugby union side Manly Marlins and represented Australia at under-18 level.

Hitchcox, who is due to join up with his new teammates next week, said: “I’m so excited to head back to the UK and to join Castleford Tigers.

“The chance to play Super League is a dream come true. I’m really impressed by what I’ve seen of the team and getting the chance to work under [coach] Daryl Powell is awesome.

“I’m looking forward to heading straight into pre-season training and knuckling down to some hard work.”

Powell said: “I’m delighted to finalise our 2016 squad with the addition of a player who I feel will prosper in our environment.

“Jy will provide quality competition in our outside-backs, he has real speed and his footwork will trouble defences of any level.

“He is a player who is hungry to prove himself in Super League and I am confident in his ability to do just that.”