YORK City Knights have lost star threequarter Jake Butler-Fleming to moneybags Toronto Wolfpack just 13 days before the new season starts - but they are confident the sale amounts to a good bit of business.

The Aussie strike centre, who played five times on loan from partner club Hull Kingston Rovers last year, only arrived in the Minster city on a permanent deal a month ago. He featured in the last two friendlies of pre-season, showing signs of a blossoming partnership with winger Ben Cockayne in the match against League One rivals Hunslet.

However, League One champions Toronto, who are targeting back-to-back promotions and a place in Super League next year, offered the 26-year-old former Penrith Panthers junior a well-paid return to the full-time arena, and it proved too good to turn down.

The move was announced in a Knights statement this evening.

Nevertheless, club chiefs believe the transfer fee they have agreed - for an undisclosed amount - offers them options to strengthen elsewhere in the squad, and they insist the deal is in "the best interest of all parties".

Furthermore, the fact Hull KR have recently signed New Zealand-born USA international centre Junior Vaivai means the Knights have a bigger chance of netting a like-for-like replacement for Butler-Fleming on dual-reg from the Super League club prior to the big League One opener against Bradford Bulls on February 18.

Club chairman Jon Flatman, on confirming the sale, said: "York City Knights were informed (last) Tuesday lunchtime of Toronto’s interest in Jake Butler-Fleming.

"When an under-contract player wants to return to a full-time environment, one which we at this stage are unable to offer, we must ensure that the agreement returns benefits to our club for that loss of player.

"As we progress as a club, we will receive approaches for more players and we will make the decisions based on the benefits to the on and off-field strategic objectives of the club.

"The recruitment process occurs as an ongoing process and we will strengthen this squad of excellent players as and when the opportunities arise with funds from the transfer fee."

He added: "James Ford (head coach) and I are committed to delivering a team capable of promotion and this transfer is, in our opinion, in the best interest of all parties."

Ironically, the move to Toronto means that Butler-Fleming, along with fellow former Knights loanee centre Nick Rawsthorne, could yet begin the League One season lining up AGAINST York.

The Canadian big guns - who kicked off their Championship campaign with a notable 34-12 victory over relegated Leigh Centurions on Sunday - have recently agreed a dual-registration partnership with Bradford and, if not selected for first-team action with the Wolfpack come a week on Sunday, Butler-Fleming could be offered a run-out with the Bulls.