YORK City Knights have announced four-time Betfred Super League winner Brett Delaney as the club's new assistant coach.

Delaney succeeds the departing Jack Howieson, who has moved to Sheffield Hawks RUFC, and continues his journey in coaching after retiring from playing in 2019.

The Australian has been part of the academy and scholarship set-ups at Leeds Rhinos and also assisted Brian McDermott at Oldham RLFC earlier this year.

As a player, Delaney was a regular in Leeds' forward pack during a highly successful period for the club.

The former Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Titans star racked up over 200 appearances with the Rhinos, winning eight major honours in West Yorkshire.

Head coach James Ford said: “Brett has played at the highest level and in the conversations that we have had, it’s clear that he will have a massive impact on the defensive side of our preparations.

“We’ve got some similar philosophies on that and, while I will oversee it, he will lead on the defence side of things.

"That will probably help me focus on other areas of our performance and preparation.

“The time we have spent together as a coaching staff so far has been really good and he will only get better as our relationship develops and his confidence grows around the club and team.

“I think he will have a really positive impact on us.”

Delaney said: “The passion Jon Flatman spoke about the club and where we want to head is brilliant and I truly believe that we will reach Super League.

“I had a chat with Jon and his aspirations of Super League are clear.

“Everyone spoke so highly about Fordy.

"He’s a Super League coach in the making and I can tell, from just a week of training, everything has run so smoothly and is so well organised.

"It’s run like a Super League club – and I truly believe that this club will reach Super League in the future.

"I wouldn’t be here otherwise – I’m a winner, I want to win things. I haven’t come here just to be an assistant and be happy to stay in the Championship.

“I’ve come here to win and to be in Super League.”

Known as one of the toughest players in Super League during his career, it is no surprise that Delaney will have a defensive focus at York.

“I’m not going to tell a half-back how to throw the ball around in attack, but I made a career out of defence," he said.

"With that comes structure, there’s wrestle, there are all sorts of things that come with a defensive system.

"I believe I can bring that and help support Fordy to change the mentality."