YORK City Knights have bolstered their forward power by bringing prop Ross Osborne back to the Minster city on a permanent deal for 2019.

The up-and-coming enforcer spent a month on loan at the Knights in both 2016 and 2017 while progressing through the full-time ranks at Hull FC, playing six times for James Ford's team in total.

He also made 12 appearances on dual-registration for Doncaster in 2018, including against York.

Head coach Ford is now pleased to be able to bring the 20-year-old back for the crucial next chapter in his career, saying his style of play could be an "important piece of the jigsaw".

Ford said: “Ross has been in our environment before and is fully up for the challenge. He’s a big lad, he carries the ball well, he can pass and he makes good contact defensively.

“He has potential to kick on and really establish himself as a first-grade player if he works hard enough in and away from the club.”

Ford added: "He showcased that potential the last time he was here when he put in some strong performances for us on loan.

"He's a really strong ball carrier with lots of skill too. He's a big human being, and I also liked what he had to say when I met with him and we discussed him, his goals and what he needed to do to get into our team.

"He was up for the challenge and excited by it and he wants to kick on and fulfil his potential.

"He's got a good starting point. Hopefully we can tidy up one or two areas of his game and help him reach the levels he could and should be playing at week in week out."

Asked what traits Osborne could add to the team for their assault on the Championship, Ford said: "He's a very effective ball carrier, he's a handful, and he's got some whack in his contacts.

"If we can mould him he could be an important piece of our jigsaw.

"It's important to have competition for places, not least in the middle where it's really physical and you have to be at your best week in week out.

"To have a number of good players in the squad keeps levels up where they need to be.

"Ross has the ability to establish himself as a starter for us if he works hard enough at his game."

Osborne said: "I'm delighted to be back at York. I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into pre-season and meeting the rest of the lads.

"It’s a really good club that has made massive improvements since the last time I was here, and I’m hoping that I can help them improve even more.

"I'm excited to work with Fordy again. In my opinion he is one of the best coaches in the game - he’s always looking to make make improvements at the club.

"The facilities here are second to none too - right up there with most Super League facilities, and I can’t wait to be playing in the new stadium once that has been built.

"I really enjoyed it last time I played here. The fans are class and they get behind the team home and away. I can’t wait to get back playing in front of them."

Osborne's arrival takes the number of players signed on for 2019 up to 20.

They are League One Player of the Year Connor Robinson, fellow nominee Ben Cockayne, hookers Harry Carter and Will Jubb, centres Brad Hey and Liam Salter, winger Judah Mazive, winger/full-backs Ash Robson, Matt Chilton and Jason Bass, full-back/half-back Matty Marsh, captain Tim Spears and fellow packmen Ronan Dixon, Josh Jordan-Roberts, Joe Porter, Sam Scott, Jack Teanby, Mike Kelly, Marcus Stock and Osborne.