STUART FIELDEN has joined the Huddersfield Giants!
The former Great Britain prop has today signed a two-year contract following his release from Super League minor champions Wigan Warriors.
Although the 33-year-old played just a handful of games in his final two years at Wigan after suffering separate knee, ankle and shoulder injuries, he was able to prove his fitness with strong Warriors displays in the closing weeks of the 2012 campaign.
As soon as he became available, a host of Super League clubs began chasing his signature, with the 6ft 3in 105kg Fielden still regarded as one of the most feared and respected forwards in Super League.
But it was the ambition of the Giants that made him decide to move to the John Smith’s Stadium.
“This is a very exciting day for me. I was speaking to a number of clubs and, having come from a top- standard club, I wanted to move to somewhere similar,” admitted Fielden, who made 35 Great Britain appearances.
“The biggest thing that persuaded me was when I was speaking to (head coach) Paul Anderson and (managing director) Richard Thewlis and they told me the plans and aspirations they have to win trophies. That’s why I’m here.
“For the last two years Huddersfield have been in the top four for two-thirds of the season, so there’s obviously something right going on, and with Paul Anderson’s plans we’ll hopefully get to the top.
“And I firmly believe we’ll achieve that in the next few years.”
The fact Fielden played alongside Giants chief Anderson during Bradford Bulls’ glory days a decade ago was also a factor in deciding to join Huddersfield, with the new arrival having total respect for his new boss.
“Paul and myself have similar ideas when it comes to discipline and being meticulous,” added the Halifax-born Fielden, who joined Wigan for a world-record fee of £440,000 in 2006. “He commands everyone’s respect and I’m excited about working with him once again.”
