FORMER Giant Jim Gannon has signed for newly-promoted Hull KR.

The 29-year-old prop was released by Huddersfield at the end of the season and has been signed by the Robins as they embark on a first Super League campaign.

He has signed a two-year contract, along with fellow experienced front-rower Mark O'Neill from Leeds Rhinos.

Gannon was a member of the Giants' Challenge Cup final side and is the fourth player to have left the Galpharm and signed for another Super League club since the end of the season.

Centre James Evans, who finished last season on loan at Wakefield, has joined Bradford Bulls, hooker Paul March is back at the Wildcats and Jon Grayshon has signed for Harlequins.

While O'Neill will take up one of the club's three overseas quota spots, former Halifax forward Gannon is exempt because he has taken out British citizenship.

And the new Super League club are confident the ex-Giant will be a big hit.

"Jim is exactly the type of prop that Justin Morgan (Hull KR coach) was looking for to complement our current front rowers and also the additional players we have identified," said Rovers chief executive Paul Lakin.

"He is a no-nonsense front-rower with bags of experience in Super League."

Morgan has said he needs to sign between 10 and 12 players for the club's first Super League campaign and has made way for the new faces by cutting five of last season's squad.

They include former Leeds and Giants winger Leroy Rivett, 29, who ensured everlasting fame by scoring four tries in the last Challenge Cup final to be held at Wembley in 1999.

Others to go are French goalkicking centre Damien Couturier, hooker Andy Ellis, loose forward Dwayne Barker and prop Gareth Price, who finished the season on loan to Celtic Crusaders.

The club have also said they will allow prop James Garmston to join a National League One club on a season-long loan and have given permission to former Huddersfield hooker Phil Joseph to speak to other clubs.

Both players have a year left on their contracts.