Huddersfield Giants have announced the signing of teenage sensation George Flanagan Jr from Bradford Bulls for an undisclosed fee.
The teenage full-back/half has impressed in 2022, breaking his way into the Bradford Bulls first-team at the age of just 17, after a number of superb performances in the Academy and Reserves.
The signing marks a huge statement for the Giants, as they beat off competition for one of the game’s hottest talents to secure George to a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
Starting his career at Birkenshaw Blue Dogs, George quickly gained attention from Bradford and was signed to the Scholarship system at Odsal. After slowly breaking through to the Academy in 2021, Flanagan Jr made 2022 his season. Starting in the Academy, the talent on offer from the home grown talent was clear for all to see with a hat-trick vs Wakefield Trinity at the Be Well Support Stadium. Flanagan Jr was then fast-tracked into the reserves and continued to impress the Bradford fans, with two tries and an assist vs Hull Kingston Rovers reserves and a try vs Salford Red Devils reserves.
George was then selected for his first-team debut vs London Broncos at Odsal Stadium, where he took to the stage with his father George Flanagan Sr, within the second half, he raced over for a debut try in a memorable moment in what is turning out to be a promising early career.
The young full-back/half then rounded off the season with a superb drop-goal vs Wakefield Trinity in the academy play-offs, as the game ventured into Golden Point, Flanagan Jr stepped up and slotted over the one point with minutes remaining.
George also possesses goal-kicking ability which saw him kick over 50 points in 2022 for the Reserves and Academy combined.
Flanagan Jr will stay with Bradford during 2023, playing alongside his farther George Flanagan, but will train with the Giants throughout the year as he transitions into a full-time environment, he will join the club on December 1st 2023 in preparation for 2024.
Huddersfield Giants Managing Director Richard Thewlis commented.
“This is a move with an eye on the longer term and George will replace Will Pryce in next year’s squad. We would like to thank everyone at Bradford for the manner in which this has been approached and this arrangement suits both clubs and the player. George is very ambitious to go full-time at the earliest opportunity and this deal allows that, while he will also play the entire 2023 season at the Bulls alongside his father to aid his development in First-Team Rugby League.
“We view his choice to join the Giants in a very positive light as he had his pick of probably every Betfred Super League side, such is his growing reputation and rather than wait we felt it best to move now with permission of the Bulls and secure his future.”
George Flanagan Jr commented on the move to the Huddersfield Giants from December 1st 2023.
“I’m very excited to be joining the Giants, I can’t wait to get started and to sign for such a big club like Huddersfield, it’s a massive move for me and my family.
“A big part of signing for the giants was Ian Watson and speaking to some of the lads who are at the Giants really made me want to choose this as my next club. The history of the Giants and the squad they are building for the future was also a big pull for me when signing here.
“Having spoke with Richard and Ian and seeing what they want to do with the club really made me want to commit my future here at the Giants.
“The chance to work with Ian Watson is massive for me, He is one of the best in the coaches in the game and for a young lad like me I feel I can learn a lot from him and he will make me a better player.
“I will learn plenty from players like Kevin Naiqama, Tui Lolohea and Jake Connor, They are massive names in the game and I hope I can learn from them when training and hopefully playing with them.
“I cannot wait to hopefully get the chance to play in such a great stadium and play in front of the fans, show them what I can do in a Giants shirt. I will always give 100% effort and I always want to win every time I step onto that pitch.”
