Super League sides miss out as former Hull FC star Jake Clifford decides future

Former Hull FC playmaker Jake Clifford has signed a new one-year deal with current side North Queensland Cowboys according to reports down under.

It puts an end to any possible talk of a Super League return with several teams still in the market for a half-back, including Clifford’s former side Hull FC.

Clifford arrived from Newcastle Knights ahead of the 2023 season alongside full-back Tex Hoy with the duo expected to form part of the club’s spine for at least two seasons, if not as part of the long-term future.

Whilst Hoy initially struggled, Clifford thrived and had a brilliant first half of the season despite the Black and Whites’ struggles, however, an injury derailed his season and his form tailed off.

Despite that dip in form, the playmaker found a deal with his boyhood club North Queensland Cowboys where he would return for 2024 and he is not set to extend that deal into the 2025 season.

Months into the 2024 campaign, Hoy would also leave whilst FC’s overseas recruitment for the 2024 campaign didn’t fare much better with Nu Brown, Franklin Pele and Jayden Okunbor all having already departed the club.

Former Hull FC half pens new deal

Clifford made waves when he returned to the NRL as he gave an interview in which he detailed pre-season with Hull FC as a “piece of piss” but he’s since made waves on the field.

For much of the campaign he has played in the Queensland Cup where he has shone but he’s set to start for the Cowboys this weekend against the Canberra Raiders after being selected ahead of veteran Chad Townsend.

Townsend will depart at the end of the year as he moves to replace Catalans-bound Luke Keary at the Sydney Roosters and it’s left the door open for Clifford to become the first-choice starter.

The Daily Telegraph is reporting that he has signed a new deal with the club following his recall to first grade with his ambition being to make the number seven shirt his own in the coming season.

It puts an end to any potential return after reports earlier in the season from Love Rugby League that he could be available to Super League clubs.

FC have also missed out on Lachlan Lam after Leigh’s head coach Adrian Lam seemingly confirmed that the playmaker will remain with the Leopards in 2025, promoting Hull FC head coach Simon Grix to explain that he’s glad it’s not his job to find a replacement.