York Knights recruit, John Sagaga, is ready to play a big role in the club’s first-ever Super League season, after joining from Penrith Panthers.
The prop forward joins fellow overseas recruits Jordan Lipp and Ryan Jackson at the Knights, as they bring in a number of Australian youngsters who have unproven potential at the top level.
Sagaga, whilst he never made a senior appearance for the Panthers, did feature in the club’s two pre-season matches ahead of this season. He has also played 11 games for the club’s NSW Cup side since 2023.
He gave his first interview since moving over to the UK to BBC Radio York, and has revealed just how excited he is to be part of the new era at the Knights.
He said: “I was very excited to sign for York Knights [after] seeing how the progressed over the last couple of seasons and where they are heading, so it was a no-brainer. I was really excited to sign.”
Asked how the move came about, he revealed: “I think York reached out to my manager, and he got back to me and that’s sort of how it started.
“I sort of just took it as it came. It was a good opportunity for myself to not only grow as a player, but as a person as well, living away from home.
“I think I came to the right club, seeing the way they’ve progressed over the years and I’m really excited for it.”
Sagaga will be living with some of his Aussie teammates as he settles in to life in the UK. Whilst he doesn’t know anyone at the club from his time in Australia, there are a few ex-teammates that he is looking forward to going up against next year.
He said: “At York, I don’t know anyone that I know from back home. I do have a couple of mates that I played with at Penrith, one that’s signed at Catalans Dragons, Zac Lipowicz. I’ve played a couple of years with him back home.”
Despite revealing he doesn’t know too much about the UK game, he is extremely excited to be part of the club’s maiden Super League squad, and after being in and around the facilities, knows that the switch to North Yorkshire is a good one for him.
“I’m very excited for it [to play in Super League],” he said. “The club’s growing and where it’s heading, I’m very grateful and can’t wait to be a part of it.
“I didn’t really watch many Super League games when I was back home. I’ve heard that the intensity’s there. They do it tough over here, but like I said I’m really excited to see how it feels and what it’s like to be in Super League.”
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