SECOND-ROW Josh Tonks has left York City Knights to join Kingstone Press League One rivals Keighley Cougars.

The popular 25-year-old becomes the eighth player to have departed since the end of the season, following Mike Emmett, Jack Aldous, Richard Wilkinson, Russ Spiers, Brett Waller, Super League-bound Kriss Brining, and, soon to be confirmed, Danny Nicklas.

Knights boss James Ford says he goes with his and the club's best wishes.

"I enjoyed working with Josh over the last few years," he said. "He's been a very solid performer for us and always played to his maximum level, and he quite rightly built up a good reputation with the club and the supporters.

"I'm disappointed he's moved on but players come and go as we all know in professional sport. I hope he has a fantastic season for Keighley and if he decides to come back to watch a game here, he'd be welcomed with open arms. We love him here."

Tonks first joined York from Dewsbury Rams towards the end of the 2014 season and helped the team seal that year's League One League Leaders’ Shield. 

He went on to make 57 appearances in all for the club, sitting out only six matches in the following two seasons, and scored 18 tries, helping the Knights reach the play-offs each year.

Tonks, who will team up again with Emmett at Cougar Park, is seen by Keighley as an ideal replacement for Darren Hawkyard, who had been contracted but has left due to work and family commitments.