Everyone could be a winner after Westerman exits Tigers for Hull

FORKING out one of their highest transfer fees for someone who recently admitted he is not good enough for England may seem like risky business.

Joe Westerman candidly conceded he did not warrant a spot in the friendly international match against Cumbria earlier this month let alone a shot at making the Four Nations trip and many would agree given his mixed performances for Castleford this season.

That fee – reported to be slightly upwards of 100,000 – may only amount to half of Wayne Rooney's weekly wage but rugby league is not awash with money.

Any such investment in a player is nowadays a rarity but the exciting loose forward's potential to shine over the next four years has prompted Hull FC into the bold move.

"Joe is one of, if not, the most talented and naturally gifted young forwards in the British game," insisted coach Richard Agar.

"At just 20 years old, we feel he has the ability to be a dominant player in the competition over the next decade; this is a signing not just for now, but for the long-term future of the club."

Westerman is undoubtedly richly skilled, his footballing quality immediately obvious when he secured Super League's Young Player of the Year in 2008.

He has not developed since as swiftly as many, himself included, had hoped and endured fierce criticism from Huddersfield Giants chief Nathan Brown earlier this season when Tigers dropped him for a game at Galpharm Stadium due to an alleged breach of club alcohol rules.

'Joe's a kid with all that talent but you only see it once every six weeks," said Brown.

Agar's main task will be to ensure no one can accuse goal-kicking Westerman of that in the future and develop the sort of consistency which will help him fulfil his obvious potential.

Moving away from Castleford could help him do that. He is the archetypal hometown hero, emerging through the club's Academy ranks after leaving Airedale High School to star alongside idols he was cheering just months before.

But all that is fine when things are going well. When Castleford have slumped – and the Tigers have lost their bite plenty of late – Westerman, who lives in the town, has struggled to escape the intense pressure applied by some of the game's most ardent fans.

Insiders, meanwhile, claim Castleford over-reacted to Westerman's apparent misdemeanour but there has been no fall-out and the switch has been amicable.

"One of the reasons I've signed is to really develop and improve my game and go on to win some trophies and play for England," he explained.

"That is with no disrespect to Castleford, but I just felt the time was right to move. I feel Hull are a club where I can realise those ambitions."

Westerman had two years to run but held a clause which said he could move to the NRL at the end of 2011. Australian clubs were hovering and Agar opted to strike first, heading off potential interest from both Leeds and Warrington at the same time.

Ironically, Hull had Westerman on their scholarship scheme as a 16-year-old. Agar, based in nearby Pontefract, had already spotted his potential in an outstanding Featherstone Lions junior side, later coached the teenager for Yorkshire Academy and was involved with him in various England squads but is now eagerly awaiting the chance to progress him into a full international.

Westerman will first have to fight for a first-team spot at the KC, something he rarely encountered in Castleford colours and partly the reason he stagnated.

Hull have the hugely experienced ex-Australian Test star Craig Fitzgibbon at loose forward, someone Agar is sure will pass on plenty of advice to his young prodigy in the next 12 months before the veteran's expected retirement.

Castleford fans may be disheartened by the departure of another homegrown product so soon after the loss of Michael Shenton to St Helens.

But Tigers chief executive Richard Wright explained: "Last year we turned down a similar deal for Michael Shenton and saw him take an offer he couldn't refuse from St Helens when he came out of contract this year with no fee payable.

"When we received interest from Hull FC we discussed an extension to Joe's contract but it was clear he wanted to move."

Not since Gareth Ellis left Wakefield for Leeds in 2005 has there been such a significant transfer between two Yorkshire clubs.

That back-row talent has since proved himself to be a major force in the NRL and is now preparing to tackle Australia with England this weekend.

Westerman has the chance to follow a similar career path in the coming years if he chooses to make the most of his opportunity and how Hull fans would love to see him emulate the last Castleford loose forward to make the switch – 80s legend Steve Norton.

Tigers, meanwhile, have pledged to put the funds received into the detailed planning permission for their much-needed new stadium at Glasshoughton.

If that project does finally get up and running, and the Tigers secure a Super League licence, it will go a long way to ensuring they never have to sell off any of their family silver again while improving their own ambitions.

There is a chance everyone could be a winner yet.

No place like Yorkshire

Gareth Ellis (Wakefield to Leeds 2005) Leeds beat Bradford to snare one of England's finest talents, handing over 120,000 for the second-row who become an integral part of back-to-back Super League title wins.

David Solomona (Wakefield to Bradford 2006) The Bulls paid 100,000 for the Kiwi Test second-row and allowed youngster Brett Ferres to go the other way.

Danny Brough (Wakefield to Huddersfield 2010) Giants' long pursuit of the colourful scrum-half ended when they forked out a six-figure fee in March. Danny Kirmond joined Wildcats on loan and Michael Korkidas signed permanently at Belle Vue.

And then there is Warrington Wolves.....

While frugal Yorkshire clubs do their utmost to avoid the cheque book, cash-rich Warrington last year signed Wakefield's Ryan Atkins for 150,000, spent 200,000 on Salford's Richie Myler and, in 2008, paid a comparatively paltry 75,000 on Hull FC's Great Britain prop Garreth Carvell.