Jacob Wardle will join his brother Joe in the Huddersfield Giants’ 2016 full-time squad.
The 16-year-old England Youth centre is regarded as one of the hottest properties in the game and was being pursued by a host of top Super League rivals.
Huddersfield head coach Paul Anderson described former Illingworth junior Wardle as ‘the best back on view’ in England’s two-Test series against France earlier this year.
He has now been rewarded with a three-year full-time deal on the back of it.
And managing director Richard Thewlis is already excited about the prospect of seeing the Wardle brothers teaming up for the Giants on the Super League stage.
Look back at the Giants' first game at the then McAlpine Stadium 21 years ago below
“Jacob has come through our scholarship system at the Giants right from the start, and it’s a credit to himself and his coaches that he emerged at the end of scholarship age as probably the most sought-after youngster in the game,” said Thewlis.
“I am delighted he has remained a Giant and much of the credit for that goes to (Giants Head of Youth) Andy Kelly and his team.
“The system here encourages elite rugby league alongside education and it’s clear from my feedback that the parents of the younger players are very happy with what we’re offering.
“In Jacob’s situation, he has already trained at the back end of the year with the first-grade squad and that situation will continue for him where practicable.
“He will be new into the Under 19s next year and his three-year term of contract gives him every opportunity to develop into a Super League player.”
