HOOKER Kriss Brining has signed a new deal with York City Knights for the 2021 Betfred Championship season.

Brining returned to York from Betfred Super League outfit Salford Red Devils ahead of the 2019 season and he played 25 times, scoring four tries as the Knights sealed a third-placed finish.

In his first spell with the club, Brining progressed through the club’s scholarship programme and went onto become the youngest player to play for the club at 17, in 2011.

The Scarborough-born hooker would play 86 times for York, scoring 53 tries, across five seasons, with his latter form attracting interest from the top-flight of the game.

The 26-year-old played three times for the Knights in the 2020 season before the season was cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Of Brining’s retention, Knights head coach James Ford said: “Kriss has the ability to win us matches off the interchange with his speed and evasion out of dummy half and his intimidating defensive contact.

“I remember very well my first session at the club when a 16-year-old bent me in half in a non-contact drill!

“Kriss takes a great deal of responsibility for his own performances, always puts the team first and has matured into a leader within the group.

“I’m confident we’ll see a fitter and faster Kriss in 2021!”

The hooker himself added: “I’m very happy to be back at the club for another year.

“It was a no brainer to be honest.

“The club seems to be in a very good position, on and off the field, and I think that is shown with the recent signings, retention of players and the number of fans that have been coming every week.”