Castleford Tigers youngster George Hill will spend 2026 in the Championship, after securing a loan move to a local side.
Hill will join Keighley Cougars on a year-long loan, as he hopes to find consistent game time in the UK’s second tier.
So far in his career, he made 10 appaearances for Whitehaven in 2023, before making two more for the Cumbrian outfit in 2024.
He made his Tigers debut in the same year, and went on to make 13 appearances. His matches primarily consisted of starting the game at loose forward, though he was named on the bench for three of those matches.
Making seven more appearances for Castleford in 20245, Hill spent part of last season on loan at Salford Red Devils, and was one of many loan players that joined the club across the campaign.
He played another seven times under Paul Rowley, and whilst he has had a taste of first-team action, it’s not been as consistent as he would have hoped.
That continued run in the senior side is what he hopes to achieve from the move to the Cougars, who suffered a shock coaching change a fortnight before the season began.
Alan Kilshaw departed the club and joined Oldham, meaning that Danny Burton stepped up from assistant to permanent boss.
The Cougars have started the season well, securing two wins from two.
Starting off with a Championship round one win over Goole Vikings, they then thrashed amateur side Heworth in the second round of the Challenge Cup to secure a tie with Midlands Hurricanes in the next stage.
Hill will not be available for selection in this week’s tie with Dewsbury, though he should be in contention for the Midlands game which takes place on Sunday February 8.
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We are pleased to announce George Hill of Castleford Tigers will be joining the #Cougars on a season long loan.
Good luck George and welcome to #cougarpark#RugbyLeague #keighleycougars pic.twitter.com/Sr8OdapdZo— Keighley Cougars (@Cougarmania) January 30, 2026
