YORK City Knights have confirmed that Ata Hingano has signed a permanent deal with the club on a three-year deal.

Hingano joined York on loan until the end of the season from Leigh Centurions on Friday, with the half-back being available for selection from the Betfred Championship clash at Dewsbury Rams on Sunday, August 7 (3pm).

The Knights have now confirmed that the Tonga international will be a York player on a permanent basis from next season.

Head coach James Ford said of the move: “I think that Ata’s pedigree is incredible and I just think he needs a run of games.

“He’ll need a chance to know our systems and calls as well as building relationships with those around him, but he’ll pick those systems up pretty quickly because they’re similar to how Leigh operate.

“Ata gives me another option in the halves and he’s another individual threat. He can beat a man on the inside or outside shoulder and he’s got a good short kicking game.

“Defensively, he’s robust as well, he can put some contact. I think he’ll fit into system really effectively and help us be more threatening.”

On how the deal for Hingano’s loan came about, Ford explained: “Friday was deadline day and, as far as I was aware, we had what we had.

“It was announced that Leigh had signed Lachlan Lam, so I gave Chris Chester (Leigh’s director of rugby) a call and asked what their plans were for Ata for the rest of the season.

“If you don’t ask, you don’t get. I’ve got to say thanks to Chris, Derek (Beaumont, Leigh chairman), Craig (Harrison) – Ata’s agent – and specifically to Clint (Goodchild, York chairman) for putting his hand in his pocket and getting it done for us.”

Hingano becomes the eighth confirmed member of York’s squad for the 2023 season alongside Matty Marsh, Jacob Ogden, Toby Warren, Myles Harrison, AJ Towse, Brad Ward and Olly Butterworth.