Castleford Tigers hopeful of new signings ‘in the next week or so’

Castleford Tigers head coach Craig Lingard says his side are hopeful of new signings in the coming weeks.

So far, they have only signed one new player for next season, Zac Cini – a young outside-back that has been playing at full-back this season.

Meanwhile, Louis and Innes Senior have both made their initial loan deals permanent.

However, that is, so far, the extent of the Tigers’ recruitment for next season.

Despite this, Craig Lingard has said this week, in a press conference, via Love Rugby League: “It would be nice to get everything done ASAP and get all the players over the line as soon as we can so we know what we’ve got.

“Hopefully in the next week or so we can get something, whether they’re announced or not, as long as the deals are done behind the scenes.

“We’re hopeful it’s going to be pushed forward this week or next.”

He also mentioned that the team is in a lengthy process, adding: “It’s massive for every club, but significantly for us to go into this second year of the three year plan.

“It’s massively important we get the right players that can develop what we’ve improved on this year and hopefully we can do that.”

Who could Castleford Tigers be signing?

It has been widely reported that Daejarn Asi is a man the Tigers are looking at, and Lingard confirmed this in a recent press conference.

Asi, a half-back, has played 14 NRL games in 2024, and has been a relatively important player for Parramatta Eels this season – the same side that Cini has signed from.

His starting role has been down to a number of reasons, including the team as a whole struggling and an injury to star halfback Mitchell Moses.

He’s also versatile, having played at full-back and in the centres in addition to playing roles in the halves this year, while Asi’s ability also extends to goal-kicking.

In addition, it has been suggested that Newcastle Knights prop Mat Croker could also be joining the side, after playing 16 NRL games this season.