Ellis Set For Tigers Debut, McGoldrick Set To Leave

Scrum half Jamie Ellis has joined Castleford Tigers with immediate effect after gaining an early release from Hull FC, while the club has granted a transfer request by utility back Ryan McGoldrick.

Ellis had already signed for Tigers on a two-year deal starting next season. Having gained an early release from Hull he is now also available to Castleford until the end of the season. He is eager to make his debut at the PROBIZ on Sunday against Huddersfield; kick off 3:30pm.

McGoldrick submitted a transfer request yesterday (Tuesday) which after consideration has been granted with immediate effect. The Australian utility back who joined the club in 2006 has not been offered a contract with the club for the 2013 season and is expected to join a fellow Super League club imminently with a view to gaining a longer term deal.

On McGoldrick’s departure Ian Millward said:

“Ryan approached us out of the blue about leaving. Although as a senior player we’d ideally have him leading us from the front for the rest of the season, with him out of contract we have reluctantly accepted his transfer request.

“With Ryan being a player that has given seven years of service to this club it would be wrong to deny him of this opportunity to continue his Super League career beyond the current season. He leaves with our best wishes for the future.

On having Ellis available for Sunday and the rest of the season, Millward said:

“Ryan’s departure enables Jamie Ellis to come in early. We have struggled with our kicking game this year and Jamie gives us a quality kicking game.

“He’s been playing regular Super League but not long minutes. This gives him a chance to get longer minutes which will benefit us in the long term.

“Jamie is a talented English half back if given time and patience he can make his mark in Super League in coming seasons.”