YORK City Knights have quickly followed up their shock signing of Hull KR centre Liam Salter by announcing that second-row Mike Kelly, part of the Betfred League One-winning squad, is staying with the club.

The 29-year-old forward spent six seasons at Doncaster after stints at Hunslet and Newcastle, before moving to York ahead of the 2018 season.

He went on to make 14 appearances as the Knights secured the title, scoring eight tries.

He now becomes the 15th player to be signed up for their assault on the Championship.

Head coach James Ford said: "Mike has shown plenty of mental resilience in coming back from a couple of serious injuries to play a positive part in our promotion last season. He runs intelligent lines and is good in contact, I’m sure Mike can establish himself as a starting player if he works hard enough at one or two areas within his game.

"Mike has a professional approach and is greatly appreciated by everyone at the club. I'm looking forward to working with him again as we step up in competition."

Kelly said: "I'm really pleased to be staying at York for another year. I enjoyed my time here last year, Fordy has created a real good culture at the club with the group we’ve got and I feel it’s the best place for me to progress personally and build on last season.

"There’s a really good feel about the club with the success of last year and moving into a new stadium this season and I’m looking forward to being a part of that and seeing what we can achieve."

The 15 players now signed on for next year are League One Player of the Year Connor Robinson, fellow nominee Ben Cockayne, hookers Harry Carter and Will Jubb, centres Brad Hey and Salter, winger/full-backs Ash Robson and Matt Chilton, full-back/half-back Matty Marsh, and packmen Ronan Dixon, Josh Jordan-Roberts, Joe Porter, Sam Scott, Jack Teanby and Kelly.