POPULAR full back Ritchie Hawkyard has returned to Keighley Cougars on a one-year deal.

The fans favourite is back at Cougar Park following a season with Oldham, whom he helped earn promotion to the Championship with 12 tries in 22 appearances. That included a man of the match display in the recent play-off final victory over Newcastle Thunder.

Hawkyard previously spent three seasons at Keighley, celebrating his testimonial year in 2018 by winning three player of the year awards including the club's Man of Steel.

The Bradford Bulls Academy product - who spent nearly a decade at Swinton Lions - helped Cougars win the iPro Sport Cup in 2016 but the following year was blighted by an horrific facial injury that required plastic surgery after an accidental collision with Hunslet's Jimmy Watson.

Cougars head of rugby Gary Moorby said: “Ritchie is a firm favourite at Cougar Park.

“His hard and dynamic running style and enthusiasm when out on the field makes him a real handful and difficult to cope with for the opposition.

“I have no doubt that the supporters of the Cougars will be glad to see him back in a Keighley shirt.”

His arrival comes on the back of several other signings, including Jake Webster from Bulls and Mo Agoro from Newcastle.