McGoldrick heads for Tigers exit, Hull duo out for season

The 31-year-old Australian, who is in his seventh season with the Tigers, was out of contract at the end of the year and had not been offered a new deal.

Castleford coach Ian Millward said: “Ryan approached us out of the blue about leaving.

“Although as a senior player, we’d ideally have him leading us from the front for the rest of the season, with him out of contract we have reluctantly accepted his transfer request.

“With Ryan being a player that has given seven years of service to this club it would be wrong to deny him this opportunity to continue his Super League career beyond the current season.

“He leaves with our best wishes for the future.”

Yesterday’s news comes just a fortnight after promising hooker Daryl Clark had a transfer request rejected and a little over a week since the club suspended stand-off Rangi Chase pending the outcome of an internal investigation into an alleged breach of discipline.

McGoldrick, a United States international who helped the Tomahawks qualify for the 2013 World Cup, is expected to join a new club immediately.

He said: “Castleford Tigers has been a major part of my life for the last seven years and a main part of my playing career.

“In an ideal world I’d have liked this to continue for years to come but this isn’t always possible and in 2013 we are moving in different directions.

“An opportunity has arisen which may help me continue my Super League career into the future and I have chosen to take it.

“I want to thank all of the fans for the last seven years and the club, staff and players that have made my time here thoroughly enjoyable.”

McGoldrick has been linked with a move to Hull, from where Castleford yesterday completed the signing of scrum-half Jamie Ellis.

The 24-year-old Ellis was due to join the Tigers on a two-year deal from next season but he was released from his contract by Hull on Tuesday and, after bringing forward his move, is set to make his debut against Huddersfield on Sunday.

Hull FC look set to rocked by the loss of England second row Danny Tickle and Tongan prop Sam Moa for the rest of the season.

The Airlie Birds duo have suffered identical injuries with both having torn their bicep at the weekend.

Both players face three months on the sidelines and the injuries are a huge blow to Hull’s Super League silverware hopes.

Featherstone Rovers have injury doubts over Jon Hepworth and Nathan Chappell ahead of tonight’s Northern Rail Cup semi-final with Leigh Centurions (7.30).