Sheffield Eagles have confirmed the signing of former Leigh Centurions halfback Jack Hansen from Swinton Lions on a two-year deal.
After helping the Lions to the second tier with the winning try in their League 1 Playoff Final against Doncaster, Hansen will now set his sights on improving the Eagles into a top six contender.
Eagles Director of Rugby Mark Aston is delighted to be welcoming Hansen to the Olympic Legacy Park.
“Jack has bundles of talent, a really exciting player to watch,” he said on the Eagles’ website.
“You want edge-of-your-seat players on your team and Jack certainly is that.
“He’s a great lad too and will certainly fit into the group that we have got here.
“He will be feeling confident after leading Swinton to the Championship. He has been a great servant to the Lions and we’re very pleased to be bringing him to Sheffield.”
On his move from Swinton to Sheffield, Hansen said: “I’m really excited to be a part of this club for at least the next 2 years,”
“I feel that everything about the club is moving in the right direction and I want to be a part of that.
“I’ve spent the majority of my career at Swinton and I’ve enjoyed every minute of being there.
“I’ve made great memories and I’m really grateful for what the club has done for me but I felt after helping them back into the Championship, it was the right time for a new challenge and put myself out of my comfort zone and test myself in a new environment.”
With Izaac Farrell and Anthony Thackeray being the usual half-back partnership for the Eagles, Hansen is happy to add to the competition for places and stake his claim for a starting spot.
When asked about Farrell and Thackeray, he added: “I’m really looking forward to that challenge as they are both great players,”
“Adding more competition is only going to help the team as no one can afford to have a game off so I’m going to put my best foot forward and aim for that starting spot.
“I can’t wait to get started with everyone.
“It’s turning out to be a really strong squad and I’m excited to be a part of that.
“Being able to train with such a great calibre of players is only going to make me a better player.”
Meanwhile Lions’ head coach Allan Coleman said, “Coaching Jack has been an absolute pleasure. He was a player that we never wanted to lose, but at the same time we accept and understand why he wishes to move on. The coaching staff here call him ‘the spongy’, as he absorbs everything he learns, and we will certainly miss him. I have no doubt he will kick on even further and become a player that the Championship stand up to and respect. From everyone at Swinton Lions, we thank you Jack, and no doubt we will see you soon!”
