HUDDERSFIELD Giants have pulled off a major coup by signing England Academy hooker Keal Carlile from Super League rivals Bradford Bulls.

The 18-year-old has signed a three-year deal and joins from Odsal for an undisclosed fee.

A top junior at Featherstone Lions, Carlile shot to prominence during the middle of last season when he came on as a substitute for the Bulls in a Super League clash at St Helens and acquitted himself exceptionally well.

But his crowning glory came in the England Academy’s recent tour to Australia when he was rated, along with Giants centre Michael Lawrence, as one of the stand-out performers for his country.

And he is hoping he will be able to continue that development during his time at the Giants.

“This is a big move for me at this stage of my career, but it’s one I believe is the right one to make,” said the Pontefract-based Carlile.

“I have seen first hand how Michael Lawrence has come on under Huddersfield’s development system. He loves it there.

“And I can’t wait to learn under someone with such a fantastic reputation as (new Giants coach) Nathan Brown. Glenn Morrison – Bradford’s top Australian back-row forward – couldn’t speak highly enough about Nathan.

“He knows him from back home and believes I’ll benefit from his coaching enormously.

“To be honest, now my signing has been completed, I can’t wait to get cracking at pre-season training next month.

“I’m well aware I face some stiff competition for a Super League spot here, but that’s something that is already really exciting.

“I couldn’t really see where my chance at the Bulls would come, and that’s one of the reasons I’ve come here. But I still know I’m going to have to be patient.”

Giants managing director Richard Thewlis is delighted to have attracted one of the game’s top juniors, and feels it’s only a matter of time before he makes a positive Super League impression.

“It’s important we underpin some of our headline-grabbing signings with youngsters of the highest quality,” he said.

“In Keal we believe we have a potential star of the future and, having already made his Super League debut last season and then being selected as the top hooker for England at his age group, he clearly ticks every box for quality.

“He now has three years to establish himself as a Super League professional and, in a similar fashion to (fellow new signing) Shaun Lunt, he is a player who will be groomed for the longer-term future.”