YORK City Knights have signed Tongan international Ata Hingano on loan until the end of the season.

Hingano will link up with York ahead of next month's match at Dewsbury Rams on Sunday, August 7 and will aid the fifth-placed Knights' end-of-season run-in to the Betfred Championship play-offs.

The half-back, who can also play at hooker, has made 18 appearances so far this season for league leaders Leigh and will arrive at York with both international and top-flight experience to his name.

The 25-year-old has represented New Zealand Warriors and Canberra Raiders in the NRL and Salford Red Devils in the Betfred Super League.

Most impressively, Hingano has earned eight caps for Tonga during his career, playing in every one of his nation's matches in the 2017 World Cup, including the 20-18 semi-final defeat to England.

Hingano's signing further strengthens York's spine, which currently contains half-backs Brendan O'Hagan, Jamie Ellis and Liam Harris as well as hookers Will Jubb and Tom Inman.

York have thanked the club's Squad Builder fund their help in completing the deal.

Leigh have a recall clause in place, should they wish to exercise it.