Championship side make double swoop to sign ex-Hull FC man and add Hull KR youngster

One Championship side have made two signings within 24 hours, swooping for a former Hull FC and a former Hull KR man.

York Knights have made their second and third signings ahead of the 2025 campaign with a player from either side of Hull arriving at the club in the past 24 hours.

They join former Man of Steel winner Paul McShane who had hung up the boots on full-time rugby league but will continue with the Championship outfit.

York had confirmed the signing of former Hull FC academy star Kieran Buchanan on Tuesday evening with the 25-year-old penning a two-year deal after arriving from Batley Bulldogs.

He had played 13 times in Super League for his hometown club of Hull FC before making the switch to Batley in 2021.

The second and latest signing sees Hull KR man James Farrar arrive at the LNER Community Stadium, also signing a two-year deal, where he will provide depth and competition at full-back alongside former Robin Will Dagger.

York Knights swoop for former Hull FC and Hull KR pair

Buchanan arrives at York after a stint with Batley but Farrar is fresh out of the Hull KR academy with the Robins having previously signed him from local amateur side Hull Wyke.

Confirming his signing today, the Knights announced his arrival via their website: “York RLFC are pleased to welcome James Farrar to the club for 2025!

“The young goal-kicking outside back has signed a two year deal thanks to support from Squadbuilder.”

Already an Irish international, Farrar was dubbed a “great young prospect” by head coach Mark Applegarth who said: “He’ll be an exciting player to work with.

“He’ll add some competition to those spots at full back with Will Dagger and he can also play wing.

“We’re really looking forward to working with James. He’s a really enthusiastic kid that’s got his best years in front of him. He’s got high ambition and he seems a very coachable young kid.”

On former Hull FC man Buchanan, whom the club had announced on Tuesday evening, Applegarth said: “I’m really looking forward to working with Keiran.

“He’s a player that’s played Championship for a number of years and he’s been there and done it all.

“I’m really happy to have a player of that sort of calibre joining us. He’ll offer a lot of experience to the younger members of the squad and I’m really happy to be working alongside him.”

During his time at Batley, he would play 116 games meaning he is a signing of real pedigree in the Championship and the former Hull FC man could prove to be a very savvy signing.