Tigers confirm signing of Niall Evalds from Salford Red Devils

Castleford Tigers have confirmed the signing of England Knights full-back Niall Evalds from Salford Red Devils.

Evalds, joint-second-top try scorer in Betfred Super League last year, will join Tigers on an initial one-year contract for the 2021 season.

With 100 tries to his name at an average of two in every three games at club level, Evalds was this year called up for an initial meeting with the England senior squad ahead of next year’s World Cup.

He said: “I’ve still got a job to do with Salford this season, but it’s going to be an exciting year for me next year.

“I’ve been at Salford a long time so this was an opportunity to take up a new challenge at Cas and have to prove myself all over again.

"I had a phone conversation with Powelly [coach Daryl Powell] and he spoke about what he expected from me and what he thought the club and himself could offer me personally, hopefully helping me with the international scene and things like that.

“It just appealed to me and the way Castleford play will suit me down to the ground.

"There’s some quality players over there and a few I’ve played with before, so it’s an exciting move all round."

Powell described Evalds as a "high-quality player with a real instinct for rugby league. "

He said: "He gets on the end of things and he’s got real pace, which we saw last year when he ran down Jordan Rankin to stop him scoring in the play-off match.

"That was a pivotal moment in the game and showed that Niall can do special things with and without the ball."

He added: "“He scores great tries, his passing game has improved and we think we can help him to play international football.

"He’s obviously improved significantly at Salford and we think we can help him go to the next level again, so we’re delighted he’s agreed to come to us.

“Full-back is such a key position now in a rugby league team which makes this an important signing for us.”

Tigers’ director of rugby, Jon Wells said: “I am delighted Castleford Tigers can announce the signing of Niall for the 2021 season.

"In my opinion he is one of the best full backs in Super League and his signature was the culmination of a great deal of work by all parties over a number of months.

“He will fit into our systems and style of play very well and I hope he will form part of the spine of our team for many years to come.

“I would like to place on record the hard work and patience shown by Niall’s agent, Iestyn Harris, during a protracted period of uncertainty; the belief by the club placed in the coaching team in the identification and negotiation of the deal and Niall himself for the professionalism he has shown at a really critical time for him in his career. I can’t wait to have him onboard.”

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins