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Rugby League

Hull pull off Godwin deal

02/09/2006

Hull have completed the signing of England international hooker Wayne Godwin from Wigan on a two-year deal as coach Peter Sharp continues to rebuild for next season.

The 24-year-old former Castleford star will link up with the Airlie Birds next season and he admits he is excited by the prospect of playing at the Kingston Communications Stadium.

"I'm really excited about the move, it's very much a positive step in terms of my career," he said.

"I've had a good time at Wigan, but I'm ambitious and I want to cement a starting place at Hull.

"I've found myself stuck a little bit behind Mickey Higham and at my age I want to be playing regularly for a big club. Obviously Mickey is a top player and at this stage of his career I could be waiting around for a regular spot."

Godwin will rival Richard Swain for the number nine jersey at Hull although the veteran Swain is due to retire from the game at the end of the 2007 season.

"The situation at Hull suits me a lot better, Richard Swain is at the back end of his career and I want to learn as much as I can from him next season," Godwin added.

"I've always admired him as a player, he is a similar size to me and a year with him can only develop my game."

Sharp admitted he was delighted to have landed the player. "Godwin is a terrific young prospect. He is sound technically, he has good speed out of dummy half and we see him as an ideal replacement for Richard Swain," he said.

"He is a smart young player and with a year under Richard's wing it will help his development enormously. I think he sees that and that is why he is prepared to come over here and play second fiddle to Swainy in an effort to learn more off him and develop his game so when he gets his chance in the starting squad he is ready for it.

"Being around a guy like Richard he can learn so much, especially where attitude is concerned. Swainy is one of the best players I have coached. His attitude is second to none, he is technically very good in defence and he is handy out of dummy half with the football, which we are trying to encourage from him and we'll certainly be doing the same with Wayne when he comes."

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