Exclusive: Josh Griffin ready to retire at Hull FC after signing new deal

Josh Griffin is ready to retire at Hull FC after signing a new two-year deal back in April.

Following a move to the MKM Stadium back in 2017, Griffin has become one of the top centres in the competition, establishing himself as one of the favourites to feature out wide in Shaun Wane’s England side in the World Cup.

His hopes of appearing in the sport’s biggest tournament looked to have taken a big hit earlier this year when it was still believed that the World Cup would still take place in 2021. The Hull FC centre ruptured his Achilles in the Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to eventual cup winners St Helens in a controversial moment which led to a decisive Theo Fages try.

However, the decision to postpone the World Cup has opened the door for Griffin to play in the tournament next year if he can recapture the form which has made him a star at Hull FC in recent years.

And, for Griffin, it was easy for him to commit himself to Hull FC for a further two years, the 31-year-old exclusively revealed to Serious About Rugby League.

“I signed the contract back in January so I didn’t even consider talking to anyone else,” Griffin said.

“This is where I want to be. There’s been a couple times clubs have approached me in the past, but I haven’t really wanted to move so when it came to signing the new deal back in January, it was an easy decision.”

With 95 Super League appearances for Hull already under his belt, the 2017 Challenge Cup winner looks set to bring up a century of top flight appearances for the Black and Whites next season as he begins his new two-year deal with the club.

Griffin has a total of 177 Super League appearances to his name and it’s likely he’ll reach the 200 milestone as a Hull FC player. Not only this, but the agile centre will likely hit many more landmarks on the west side of Hull after revealing he would like to retire at the club.

He added: “Yes definitely I’d love to retire here. Hull’s become home to me now. My family are happy here, I’ve got friends outside of rugby here as well. I’d like to end my career here.”

Of course, Griffin is still recovering after rupturing his Achilles early last season meaning such milestones will have to wait until he regains full fitness, however he told Serious About Rugby League that he’s remaining mentally strong about the injury.

Concluding the interview, he said: “I know it’s a big injury to come back from but I also know with my mentality that I will be fine.

“I almost feel a little refreshed from the injury, which may sound strange, but that time away sometimes can be good because it gives you a different perspective from the day-to-day when you’re on the frontline.

“Being able to step back has motivated me for what I see as the final bit of my career, how long that is I don’t know but I’m very determined now, probably more than ever, to be the best I can be.

“That’s my aim now, to come back and play better than I ever have before. I know that will be tough off the back of this injury but in my mind I know I can get there and I can’t wait to get back at it sooner rather than later.”