MICHAEL KORKIDAS has today completed a move to the Giants as the club confirmed the departure of utility back Shane Elford.

The 27-year-old Korkidas has agreed a three-year deal after he negotiated a release from Super League rivals Castleford and is seen as a direct replacement for retiring prop John Skandalis.

The powerful former Wakefield and Salford front-row forward is Huddersfield’s eighth new arrival for Super League XIV, while utility back Elford is the seventh departure from last season’s squad.

Korkidas follows Todd Carney, Simon Finnigan, Brett Hodgson, Scott Moore, Joe Walsh and young hookers Shaun Lunt and Keal Carlile to the Galpharm for 2009.

The Australian, who began his career at top NRL club Sydney City Roosters, will add extra strength to a front row which already includes Eorl Crabtree, Darrell Griffin, Paul Jackson and Keith Mason.

And new Giants coach Nathan Brown is confident his latest signing will make a positive impact.

“Michael is a player I know pretty well over here and he can certainly bend a defensive line and give some great go-forward,” said Brown.

“(Assistant coach) Paul Anderson played against him a few times and knows exactly what he can do.

“Our challenge is to get him back to the form he showed a few years back when Paul remembers him rampaging over most teams. I’ve no doubt if we can do that then we have another big impact player in our squad.

“For whatever reason, he didn’t perhaps have his best year last season, but he wants to play for us and prove a few people wrong.

“We’re very happy to give him that opportunity and he will add size to an already very big, strong pack.”

A spot in the Giants squad for Korkidas to fill was made possible by the departure of Elford.

The 31-year-old has left the club by mutual consent with one season still remaining on a three-year contract.

A vital time for season-ticket holders – chairman Ken Davy has a message for fans: see Page 40.