Ryan Brierley has finally been confirmed as a Huddersfield Giants player.
The 24-year-old Leigh Centurions scrum half has today completed a four-and-a-half year Super League deal to move to the John Smith’s Stadium with immediate effect.
There had been widespread speculation Brierley would be moving to Super League champions Leeds Rhinos for the start of next season.
But the Giants have made their move now to secure the services of one of rugby league’s hottest properties, with Brierley delighted with the choice he’s made.
“Obviously, it is an amazing opportunity for me to play in a great team and in a great environment,” said Brierley, who could be in the frame to make his debut in the derby clash at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on Good Friday.
“I was really impressed with the facilities when I came down here and I was impressed with Paul Anderson, and the ideas he’s got are great for me.
READ MORE: Huddersfield Giants deny a Super League deal for Leigh Centurions star Ryan Brierley has been done
“My biggest job is to earn the respect from him and my teammates by getting into training and working hard. It is something that I am looking forward to and I can’t wait to get started.
“It is going to be a massive test for me to be involved in a Super League environment and it is a pretty daunting task in itself but I am just looking forward to the challenge. It’s really exciting.”
And the news of Brierley’s arrival should lift some of the gloom among the Giants fans after the bitterly-disappointing 46-26 home defeat to Catalans Dragons, when Joe Wardle was sent off for a high tackle early in the second half and half-back Danny Brough and prop Eorl Crabtree were withdrawn through injury.
Brough came off towards the end of the game with a knee knock, although head coach Paul Anderson confirmed that was mainly as a precaution.
But checks will need to be taken on the fitness of Crabtree, who was dangerously dumped on his head in the incident midway through the opening half that earned Catalans centre Krisnan Inu a sin-binning.
