Former Salford, Hull, St Helens and Huddersfield Giants star Jordan Turner sets sights on silverware with Castleford Tigers

Turner, who will celebrate his 32nd birthday next month, began his Super League career with Salford Red Devils in 2006 and also played at the top level for Hull and St Helens - where he was a Grand Final winner six years ago - before joining Huddersfield in 2017.

The Oldham-born back’s vast experience and versatility - he can also play in the halves and at loose-forward - make him a more than handy addition and he will add to competition for places in coach Daryl Powell’s squad.

For his part, Turner is “excited” about the move. He feels he is still at the top of his game and is keen to help Tigers get back into - and win - major finals.

He trained with his new club for the first time last week and described the three-day camp, ahead of pre-season which begins in earnest next month, as “tough”.

But the England Knights man stressed: “I can tell it is an environment I am really happy to be a part of.

“I can tell the team and the coaching staff work very hard.

“The coaching staff work meticulously, so I am very happy to be in this environment.”

The transfer was a surprise, but Turner believes it is a good fit, for both him and the club.

“It sort of came out of left-field,” he reflected.

“I think as long as I apply myself correctly - which I know how to do and I definitely will do - then I think it is a good match for me to come to this club.”

Of what appeals to him about Tigers, he added: “There’s some stuff I have heard about how the club work behind the scenes and also the brand of rugby they play here.

“They like to throw the ball about and play the game the way I believe it should be played.

“Daryl seems to bring the best out of players he brings in.

“Those are a few things that attracted me to come here.”

Though he has signed a 12-month contract, Turner can see himself playing on for at least another four years and believes he has plenty still to offer.

He emphasised: “I have played a lot of games, I think I am coming up towards 350 soon, but I do believe there’s still a lot left in me.

“I am very durable, I have been a professional throughout my career, that’s why I have lasted as long as I have without any really big, serious injuries.

“I can’t wait to get started and for the season to kick off.”

Turner also has things he still wants to achieve.

“I have tasted success and I know what it feels like to lift a trophy and I would love to do it again,” he said.

“I would hate to finish my career, in four years’ time or something and not have added to it.

“It is something I am really keen to do.

“I want to get back to playing in the big games at Old Trafford.”

After showing impressive form before the coronavirus shutdown in March, Tigers faded to eighth in Betfred Super League last term, their lowest position since 2013.

But Turner reckons that was a blip rather than a trend and is confident the squad is good enough to win silverware.

“The spine the club has got will take them a long way,” he predicted.

“It is up there with the best spines - if not the best spine - in the league.

“I think that’s a main start point and then you’ve got your middle men like Wattsy [Liam Watts] who complement the spine.

“The squad is more than good enough to be competing and to be up there winning trophies.”

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