Lee Radford explains Castleford Tigers’ latest signing

Castleford Tigers have made another signing.

The Tigers brought in young halfback Jacob Hookem last week prior to bringing in Bailey Dawson.

Today they added Ilikaya Mafi to their list of young signings and speaking after the announcement, Mafi explained what he will bring to the Tigers in 2023 and beyond:

“I’m powerful with good footwork at the line and I can move the ball about. In defence I can stay connected and I am a good hitter as well. I’m very excited and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Tigers Head Coach Lee Radford has made a point of bringing in young British players for 2023 to reduce the average age of his squad at the Jungle.

He has brought in the aforementioned Hookem and Dawson having signed Leeds Rhinos duo Jack Broadbent and Muizz Mustapha.

Both ae young and have huge potential as do the rest of the Tigers squad as the average age drops under former Hull FC boss Radford.

Speaking after signing Mafi, Radford explained the signing:

“He’s a big athletic lad and he’ll benefit from being with us full time. I made some comments earlier in the year that we need to make the squad’s average age a little bit younger, so Ilikaya and the other lads coming on board will allow us to do that.”