MORGAN SMITH has left York City Knights to join Betfred Championship rivals Featherstone Rovers for the 2022 season.

Smith signed for York ahead of the last campaign and had been lined up to start alongside Brendan O'Hagan in the halves.

But the former Warrington Wolves and London Broncos star suffered a long-term ACL injury during pre-season.

That blow ruled Smith out for practically all of the 2021 season, with head coach James Ford stating that while an appearance at the back end of the season was possible, it may have significantly impacted upon the 23-year-old's recovery.

Smith leaves York without having played a game for the club and joins a Featherstone side which reached the Million Pound Game earlier this month.

The Rovers lost just two league matches last season, both coming against eventual promotion winners Toulouse Olympique.

James Webster's side will likely again be among those battling for a place in Betfred Super League, alongside full-time outfits Leigh Centurions and Newcastle Thunder as well as a chasing pack below, which includes York.

For the Knights, off-season recruits Jamie Ellis and Liam Harris, who both signed on permanent deals after previous loan deals, look set to be the starting half-backs next year.

The future of York's other half-back from 2021, O'Hagan, has yet to be announced.