JAMES FORD admitted to finally getting his man after second-row star Sam Scott agreed to return to York City Knights for 2018.

The Press revealed over a fortnight ago that Scott - the Players' Player and Press Player of the Year in his one season at the Knights in 2013 - could well be on his way back to the Minster city after being released from Sheffield Eagles.

And his recruitment on a one-year deal has today been confirmed by the club's hierarchy, with head coach Ford hailing the effect the former Championship winner could have on the squad.

It has also been confirmed that the 27-year-old turned down options to stay in the higher tier in order to bolster the Knights' promotion credentials in Kingstone Press League One.

Said Ford: "Sam is a player I've attempted to sign on more than one occasion.

"I think he's a really important signing for the club, not only as a player but also as a person.

"He has a wealth of experience having played in the Championship for several years. He had options to stay in the Championship but, luckily for me and for York, we've been able to convince him to sign for us.

"I'm really looking forward to working with him again. I'm very confident he will bring a lot to the team, both in attack and defence."

Former Knights centre Ford lined up outside Scott in a number of matches during the 2013 season.

Said the boss: "He runs intelligent lines, has a good passing game and he selects his offloads well. I think he can add more strike to our edges.

"One thing that struck me when I played alongside him, apart from his obvious ability, was his grit and determination.

"He's a really aggressive player - disciplined but aggressive - and he will set standards in terms of our physicality.

"I enjoyed playing with him and I'm sure the current squad will do too."

Scott, 27, after coming through Wakefield's academy, was in the Sheffield squad that reached back-to-back Championship Grand Finals in 2011 and 2012, having a try disallowed in the latter as the Eagles beat Featherstone to take the title.

He joined York, then of the Championship, in 2013 and, while Gary Thornton's men were relegated to League One, Scott picked up the Player of the Year double in the end-of-season awards.

He also stayed in the Championship, signing for Batley, where he was a regular for two years before enduring an injury-hit season in 2016.

He returned to Sheffield for 2017 and played 31 times, scoring four tries, as the Eagles reached the Championship Shield final.

Scott said of his return to the Knights: “I was really impressed by how the club was sold to me.

"The training facilities look outstanding and the environment James and his staff have created in general seems excellent - the rate at which they improved last year is testament to that.

“The club has clear plans to progress, both on and off the field, and I’m very keen to help in any way I can.

"I’ve seen a few York games and I’m excited by their style of play.

"Hopefully I can bring some more strike to their edges, aggression in defence and leadership at key stages."

He added: “I’m looking forward to playing in front of the York fans again. They were great the last time I was here and hopefully we can all work together and achieve success.”