Hull KR have been making a splash this off-season as they bid to return to the play-offs and also impress the sport’s new partners IMG.
That’s included multiple signings, three of which have come from the NRL, new sponsorship deals and even a new chairman.
One of the new signings who has arrived from closer to home though is Yusuf Aydin the Turkish international who has arrived from Wakefield, following a loan spell with Leeds.
In a video posted to Rovers twitter he spoke on what pre-season had been like and how he’s settled in.
“The boys have made me feel really welcome, there’s plenty to look forward to and we’ve had a great five weeks so far. It couldn’t have gone any better.
“With the new boys coming back they’ve taken it to another level. The coaching staff have said ‘work hard and we’ll reward you’ and that’s what they’ve done. We’ve got warm weather camp in Tenerife coming up.”
Yusuf Aydin talks the importance of working hard in training as he prepares for his first season as a Robin 👊#UpTheRobins🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/IBryIsmdOW
— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) December 8, 2022
The aforementioned warm weather training is currently underway and former boxer and proud resident of Hull, Tommy Coyle, has been helping put the Robins through their paces.
Aydin arrives from Trinity but had appeared for Leeds last season and the 22-year-old Wakefield born prop discussed what motivated him to make the move to Hull.
“I went to Leeds, I was lucky to have that experience. It probably set foot for me coming to KR, I’d only ever been at Wakefield so it (going on loan to Leeds) opened up a new avenue and a bit of an outlook and I’m grateful to be here.”
Aydin featured just once for Rhinos last season but his experience at a club other than Wakefield would likely be invaluable and he’ll now transition from Rohan Smith’s side to Willie Peters’ instead.
He’ll be part of a renewed forward pack for Rovers as they’ve also signed Rhys Kennedy from Brisbane Broncos, however he is currently scheduled for minor surgery and may be in a race to make the start of the season with KR hosting Wigan in round one.
