Hull KR will benefit from Langley’s leadership qualities

The loose forward, 29, is the Robins’ fourth recruit for the 2014 campaign and will bring some much needed experience after the loss of Mickey Paea to Hull FC and Corey Paterson’s return to the NRL.

Langley, who had spent his entire career at Odsal, has agreed a one-year deal with the option of a second season in East Yorkshire.

He is widely regarded for his high work-rate, defensive prowess and, more recently, an ability to operate as an auxiliary front-row so will be a useful addition for Craig Sandercock.

“After my last game at Bradford I was looking to get something sorted pretty quickly,” he said.

“I’d met with Craig (Sandercock) previously and got on really well with him.

“I was impressed with what he had to say and the direction in which the club is going.

“They had a good year this year getting into the play-offs and have made some very good signings for next season.

“There are also a lot of good, young players in the squad and I’m looking forward to getting involved and hopefully having a positive influence on both the team and the club.”

A model professional who won the 2005 Grand Final with Bradford, Wakefield-born Langley should certainly deliver that.

His leadership qualities will prove key, too, with captain Michael Dobson having ended his five-and-a-half year association with the Robins, and it is hoped Langley will help bring on the likes of young forwards such as Jordan Cox, Adam Walker and George Griffin.

Langley is the club’s first domestic signing for 2014 after joining St George-Illawarra prop Michael Weyman, Newcastle Knights second-row Neville Costigan and Canterbury scrum-half Kris Keating as new arrivals at MS3 Craven Park.

Among his other achievements in the game are two World Club Challenge wins, including Bradford’s 2006 success over Wests Tigers when current Rovers assistant Stanley Gene was a team-mate, and captaining England Academy to a series victory over the revered Australian Schoolboys back in 2002.

Sandercock said: “Jamie is an outstanding person both on and off the pitch.

“With us having so many young players in our squad I thought it was important to bring someone in with plenty of experience and Jamie certainly fits that bill.

“The fact that he’s played over 220 Super League games bears testament to that and Jamie is a very good player whose experience and leadership will benefit our club enormously.”

Langley – who played a significant role for Bradford this season – will join up with his new team-mates in November ahead of pre-season training for the new campaign.