YORK City Knights have snapped up a quality half-back in Castleford Tigers youngster Adam Thaler.

The 19-year-old starlet, who has already figured in Super League, comes to Huntington Stadium on loan until the end of the season, with chief executive Steve Ferres hailing it a 'superb signing'.

However, it is a case of one in and one out, as fellow half-back Scott Yeaman has left the club mainly because of work commitments.

Thaler, who can play at stand-off or scrum-half, started out with Snydale Scorpions before working his way through the Alliance and Academy levels with Cas and earning a first-team contract at the Jungle 15 months ago. He is also a Yorkshire Academy player.

Ferres said: "Castleford coach Graham Steadman sees it as a progression of his development and he's delighted to let him come to York with a view to us helping to develop him as a player. Coming into the National League is a step up from the Under-21s on the way to Super League.

"We're grateful to Cas for allowing him to come to York and hopefully we can play a part in his development and he can play a big part in our season."

As regards Yeaman, Ferres confirmed: "We've released him from his contract. He had difficulty getting the necessary time off from working shifts and consequently he could not give the commitment to get to training."

Yeaman, who scored four tries in eight appearances for York Wasps last season, played six times for the Knights this year, scoring three tries and one goal.

Ferres added: "He asked for a release and we granted it. He goes with our best wishes and our thanks for helping us at the start-up of the club and we wish him well."

Ferres said three or four more signings were in the pipeline, and was optimistic two of them would be at Huntington Stadium before the National League Division Two campaign kicks off on Good Friday, April 18, with a home match against Gateshead Thunder.

"The phone has been red-hot over the last couple of days," he said.

"We've brought in one and, although we've lost one, I'm pretty confident we will have another three on board.

"I'm optimistic that by the start of the League season we will have two on board with another following shortly after."

It is believed the Knights - who continue their campaign in the Arriva Trains Cup with a home match against Sheffield Eagles on Sunday (kick off 3pm) - are in the market for a prop, a back-rower, a half-back and a back.

Updated: 15:13 Thursday, March 27, 2003