Huddersfield Giants this morning confirmed that young fullback Aidan McGowan will leave the club in 2023 as he joins the Batley Bulldogs on a season long loan.
McGowan joins the Bulldogs after a successful spell with the Dewsbury Rams in 2022 and will replace Leeds Rhinos signing Luke Hooley at fullback in 2023 as Craig Lingard again has to rebuild the Bulldogs on a shoestring budget.
The deal makes sense with the Giants having Will Pryce, Jake Connor and Tui Lolohea capable of playing fullback, but the Giants have the right to recall McGowan and bring him back to the club should they need him in 2023.
This was confirmed by Managing Director Robert Thewlis:
“This is another good deal and opportunity for both player and club. We see Aiden as a having great potential to ultimately step up our Super League side and the top end of the Championship is the best place for him to continue his development next season.
“We have the right to recall if needed during the curse of the year and Aiden will continue to train with us and learn off the likes of all the above and hopefully enjoy an injury free season in what will again I am sure be a highly competitive and successful Batley side.”
Ultimately the deal gives McGowan the chance to develop prior to Pryce’s move to the NRL next year which could deliver him more game time.
