Sky Sports presenter says Hull FC’s marquee signing was turned down by other clubs ‘due to age’

Hull FC confirmed yesterday news of their groundbreaking signing of John Asiata for the 2025 season, the first major piece of recruitment in Richie Myler’s time as Director of Rugby.

The Leigh Leopards skipper will join Hull FC from 2025 on a three-year deal with reports from Rugby League Live’s Matt Shaw claiming that Asiata will be earning approximately £220,000.

It has now been argued by Sky Sports’ presenter Brian Carney that several other Super League sides passed up on the opportunity to sign Asiata due to his age, with the loose forward turning 32 in April.

How important a signing for Hull FC could John Asiata be?

Speaking ahead of Warrington Wolves’ clash with Hull FC last night, Carney explained that Asiata will have commanded plenty of money before noting that it was his age that put off other suitors.

Carney said: “We’ve seen John Asiata go to Hull FC on what we believe is a marquee deal, which obviously a lot of money to get him out of there.

“He has signed on a three-year deal, as a man who’ll be 32 in April. I do believe because of his age that some clubs passed up on the opportunity to take John Asiata. Hull didn’t.”

It might be a huge wage that Asiata is earning but it’s a signing that will inspire hope and potentially draw in other recruits and potentially even a head coach, Adrian Lam having already been linked, and that was the argument of St Helens and England captain Jodie Cunningham.

Cunningham commended Hull FC for getting the deal done arguing: “John Asiata has proved his quality, he’s proved how important he is to Leigh, but what he also does is provide hope.

“We all asked ‘Why would Rowley want to go to Hull FC when he has a quality side at Salford’, well now Hull FC have got a quality signing in John Asiata. That’s a catalyst to coaches and to players to show that Hull FC means business.”

Why John Asiata has signed for FC?

Hull FC announced the signing of John Asiata yesterday afternoon with the transfer catching plenty by surprise. Asiata was off contract with Leigh at the end of the season but the Black and Whites were not on many people’s shortlist for where he would be playing in 2025.

The loose forward explained why he has chosen to join FC though in the club’s released statement confirming his arrival.

“I’m really excited for the new challenge that lies ahead for me at Hull FC,” Asiata told the club’s website.

“After speaking to Richie Myler, it’s clear that we are both on the same page in wanting to help this club to being better than ever before.”

His move has already led to suggestions that Adrian Lam has moved high up on the shortlist for a potential new head coach at the MKM Stadium meaning that there could still be plenty of fallout from this transfer.

Richie Myler had argued that the signing showed “the direction in which the club is heading”, claiming that Asiata will “help define our identity as a club”.