THE Giants have announced the signing of local product Jacob Fairbank on a three-year full-time deal.
The prop forward is the nephew of former Great Britain international Karl Fairbank.
And the 19-year-old has recently returned from a Great Britain Community Lions tour of Australia.
Giants managing director Richard Thewlis said: “It is great that we are able to offer another locally-based player the chance to be a full-time professional rugby league player and I am sure that Jacob will relish the opportunity.
“He has not come through the traditional system, but took a route that enabled him to tour Australia, which I am sure will have benefited him enormously, and again demonstrates that there is more than one way to ultimately realise the dream of being a full-time Super League player.”
Giants’ head of youth performance Damian McGrath added: “Jacob comes from a very famous rugby league family, with a number of his uncles playing to a very high standard.
“Jacob is a real chip off the old block. He is a very tough uncompromising forward who was outstanding for the academy team in 2007.
“At the time, he was completing his apprenticeship and had aspirations to tour Australia with the Great Britain Community Lions. He continued to play with amateur status for the Giants in the reserve team and did very well.
“On his return from Australia, we are delighted he has signed a full-time professional contract.
“We have players in all positions pushing for full-time contracts and it reflects very well on the club and its policy of recruiting talented juniors and then promoting them when they see fit.
“It’s good news for us and a beacon for other talented young players that there is a clear pathway for them to follow.”
Fairbank said: “Signing a full time deal is fantastic for me.
“It is all I’ve ever wanted to do. I’m delighted to be following in the footsteps of members of my family in signing professional terms.
“The club is really going places and I’m looking forward to developing as a player under a quality coach in Nathan Brown. I can’t wait to start working hard in the full-time environment to improve my game further.
“Touring with the GB Community Lions was the experience of a lifetime and something I enjoyed immensely.
“It was good life experience and we managed to play against the Australian Schoolboys side, which is not something a lot of people get the chance to do.”
