Hull FC have locked in their tenth and final overseas quota player for the 2026 season, signing a prop forward to a new deal.
Ligi Sao, who has missed almost the full season through injury, will extend his stay at the MKM Stadium after signing a new one-year deal to keep him at the club until the end of 2026.
Sao suffered a serious knee injury in the Round Two loss to Wigan Warriors with the 32-year-old ruled out for the entire season.
The Black and Whites were granted special permission from the RFL to sign an extra quota player in Liam Knight, given the fact Sao was set to miss the entire season.
Serious About Rugby League revealed that Hull FC, who are openly searching for a centre, are considering Castleford Tigers’ Sam Wood as an option and the fact they’ve confirmed Sao as their tenth and final overseas player for 2026 means that any centre they do sign will have to be a domestic player.
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Hull FC sign Ligi Sao to extended deal
Hull FC have recently confirmed new deals for Liam Knight (2026), Aidan Sezer (2027), and Cade Cust (2028) with Sao becoming the latest overseas player to extend their deal with the Black and Whites.
They also have Jed Cartwright (2026), John Asiata (2027) and Herman Ese’ese (2029) tied down whilst both Sam Lisone and Jake Arthur have been confirmed as new recruits, with both men signing two-year deals.
Serious About Rugby League previously reported that St Helens’ James Bell will sign with Hull FC when his contract expires at the end of the year, with the utility forward completing the ten overseas quota spots.
The Black and Whites announced Sao’s new deal via a press release, confirming his one-year deal and also revealing that he is set to return for the start of pre-season training in November.
Ligi Sao’s first words after signing new deal
That’s a massive boost for the Black and Whites and for Sao, who spoke about signing his new deal and paid tribute to the club’s medical staff.
He said: “I’m grateful to Hull FC for the opportunity to represent this great club for another year in 2026.
“I’m also eternally grateful to all of the medical and back room staff for the support they have given me on my rehab journey this year.
“My team mates, Carty [John Cartwright], and all of the coaching staff have stood by me all of the way and I can’t wait to get back out there with the troops in 2026.”
Club legend and current Director of Rugby, Gareth Ellis, added: “We’re absolutely delighted to retain Ligi’s services for another year – a player who totally understands the club and what it means to represent Hull FC.
“2025 hasn’t panned out the way Ligi wanted it to, but I have seen first hand his desire and determination to return to full fitness bigger, better and stronger – and on that basis I believe he will be a key asset in our pack next season.
“Beyond all of that, Ligi is an exceptional character off the field. He has conducted himself with immense professionalism this year, often offering his support to other members of the squad, and we’re all very much looking forward to his return to action in 2026.”
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