Transfer news: Hull FC send another player out on loan

Richie Myler has been getting even more work done at Hull FC as the Black and Whites have sent out another player on loan.

This time it is hooker Denive Balmforth with the 20-year-old set to go learn the trade and sharpen his tools in the Championship with Swinton Lions.

Balmforth marks the fourth Hull FC player to head out on loan to the Championship in the month of May, however, he is the least experienced and would be expected to benefit from a loan stint in the competition.

Swinton Lions confirmed that they had signed Balmforth on a month-long deal with a statement released on the club website.

It read: “We are pleased to announce the loan signing of Denive Balmforth from Hull FC with immediate effect.

“20-year-old Denive hails from Leeds and stands 5 feet 11. He plays primarily at hooker or loose-forward and will be joining the Lions for a month.

“A highly promising player with a big future in the game, he made his Super League debut for Hull FC back in 2014, whilst in 2023 he played a number of games on loan at the then Championship club, Newcastle Thunder.

“We’d like to thank everyone concerned at Hull FC for helping make the loan possible, and we trust all of our fans will give Denive a warm Swinton welcome!”

Fourth Hull FC player links up with Championship side

As referenced, Denive Balmforth marks the fourth Hull FC player to head out on loan to the Championship in the past month with the three previous men all being new signings that have failed to fully transition into the Black and Whites first team squad.

The first man to make the switch was Liam Tindall with the former Leeds Rhinos man making the loan move to Bradford Bulls and he was shortly followed by NRL recruit Jayden Okunbor.

Okunbor came in with a major reputation but hasn’t played since Simon Grix took interim charge of the club after Tony Smith’s sacking. The six-foot-five-inch overseas star had been playing second-row but had primarily played in the backs when down under.

Now on loan at Odsal, Okunbor has been moved back into the centres and played alongside Tindall last weekend where he put in a Man of the Match display and scored a try in the win over high-flying Sheffield Eagles.

The other Hull FC man to have taken to the Championship is forward Franklin Pele who had a horror start to his career in black and white.

Pele was sent off on debut in the opening game of the season against rivals Hull KR, the prop swinging his arm towards Rovers captain Elliot Minchella.

After serving a three-game ban, the forward found Super League chances difficult and had featured in the reserves but he is now out on loan at York Knights where he will feature this weekend.