Looking ahead to the 2027 Championship season and a handful of players have signed with new clubs, with former Hull FC, Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos men on the move.
Like in Super League, the Championship play-offs are in full swing but for those teams who are out of the action already, transfer season and roster-building for 2027 has begun.
A number of teams have quickly got to work and that’s seen a flurry of transfers in the past few days with the latest being ex-Hull FC forward Nick Staveley making the move to Batley Bulldogs.
Staveley, who debuted for the Black and Whites in 2023 and would go on to make eight appearances for the club, has played at Goole Vikings for just over one season but his time there has come to an end.
He’s one of several to leave Goole, including head coach Scott Taylor who has taken up a role at former club Hull FC, whilst others include Connor Barley and Jeyland Hodgson, who have moved to Hull FC and Huddersfield Giants, respectively.
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Championship signings in full swing
As well as Staveley being on the move to Batley, former Hull KR hooker Reiss Butterworth is as well with Sheffield Eagles confirming that the 27-year-old has left the club after two seasons.
They’ve not announced where he will land and no club have confirmed his signing yet but it’s expected that news will come in the following days with the dummy-half a top talent at Championship level.
A former Leeds Rhinos youngster is another cross-Championship move to be confirmed in the last few days with cross-code talent Dylan Proud moving from Keighley Cougars to Rochdale Hornets.
Proud becomes the Hornets’ first signing of 2027 and whilst he did not make a senior appearance for the Rhinos, he was a key part of the club’s academy and reserves system that won the Reserves Grand Final in 2025.
Still only 22 and with some senior experience now under his belt having played 15 times for the Cougars in 2026, the versatile back will be a strong addition for Gary Thornton’s side.
✍️ STAVELEY JOINS THE BULLDOGS
We are delighted to announce the signing of promising young back-rower Nick Staveley for the 2027 season!
Nick began his professional career with Super League side Hull FC, making his debut against Castleford Tigers in the 2023 Challenge Cup.… pic.twitter.com/2RydIb4Xmh
— Batley Bulldogs RLFC (@BatleyRLFC) September 19, 2026
