Mark Moxon ‘excited’ to sign Whitehaven full-back as ‘negotiations break down’ with Huddersfield Giants over on loan star

The former Salford youngster, who celebrates his 24th birthday on Friday, is Moxon’s third signing after Luke Cooper and Joe Burton, and is a player who has caught the new coach’s eye throughout 2023.

He said: “I am really excited. He is one I have been working on for a long time to be fair. He has caught my eye all year. Quite a few clubs were interested in him and I am really pleased that we were able to get him over the line.

“He is a great carrier of the ball, he has got good feet and a good pair of hands. He is also a good goal kicker and left footed, which is something we lacked last year, so I am hoping he is going to take on that mantle next year as well.

“He is an exciting player which I am sure the fans will be excited to see.”

Rourke’s arrival to the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium, however, has not prevented Moxon from still trying to convince McGowan, who had a successful 2023 campaign on loan at the club from the Giants, to extend his stay with the Bulldogs.

“Aidan returned to the Giants but we are still trying to get him back,” Moxon admitted. “To be honest, negotiations have broken down with Huddersfield. That is where we are at the minute.

“I am still keen to have him back and he knows that. He really enjoyed his time here and he would like to come back as well. He sees himself as a full-back which might be an issue for us.”

One player who will definitely be a Bulldog next season is Kieran Buchanan who will be entering his fourth campaign with the club after agreeing to stay on.

Moxon said: “Since he signed for us he has been outstanding. He is Mr Consistency and he is quality every week. He does all the little things really, really well and the things that the untrained eye doesn't see, I guess.

“The fans do see how much effort he puts in and how hard he works and how good he is as a player.

“Predominantly he came as a centre but maybe we’ve seen a bit more of him in the back row perhaps. He is one of those players who you can throw in the middle or he’ll play even wider if you want him to. He is really versatile and a real asset for us to have.”