YORK Knights have signed experienced centre Jimmy Keinhorst, who returns to the club on a one-year deal.

The Betfred Super League Grand Final winner re-joins the Knights from Hull KR, having scored twice in five appearances for the club in the curtailed 2020 season.

Keinhorst, who has over 200 senior appearances to his name, began his career at Super League heavyweights Leeds Rhinos, going on to make 90 appearances during his seven seasons at Headingley.

There, he was a part of one of the club's most successful eras, winning the 2015 League Leaders' Shield before assisting Josh Walters' match-winning try against Wigan Warriors in the Grand Final at Old Trafford later that year.

He has also featured in the Betfred Challenge Cup Final, coming off the bench as the Rhinos were defeated by Warrington Wolves in 2012.

Leaving Leeds in 2018, having scored 32 tries, Keinhorst joined Hull KR the following season, making 72 appearances for the Robins.

Earlier this year, he spent time on dual registration at Keighley Cougars, playing a key role as Rhys Lovegrove's side earned a 22-10 victory at the LNER Community Stadium on Good Friday.

Keinhorst is raring to go, having felt that he has unfinished business at the Knights after his earlier spell was cut short due to the pandemic.

"I'm really excited to have signed for the Knights and I can't wait to get started in 2024!" he exclaimed.

"When the opportunity to sign for the club came about, I jumped at it, having had past experience at York and really enjoyed my time here, even though it was only a short spell.

"I felt like I had unfinished business here, so it's great to be here for a longer spell.

"Having seen how the team finished last season in strong fashion, I'm really excited to be joining this group of players and coaching staff."

Head coach Andrew Henderson stressed the importance of bringing a player of Keinhorst's experience to the club, having seen captain Chris Clarkson retire at the end of the campaign.

“I believe that Jimmy is going to be a really important signing for us," he enthused."After meeting Jimmy, I could tell that he was going to be the right fit for this club.

“Jimmy is the ultimate professional and even at 33-years-old, I still think that he has some good rugby league in him.

“It was important that we found a good senior player that was the right fit for this team and this club, knowing that Chris Clarkson was retiring at the end of the season.

“I’m hoping that Jimmy will be able to add value in that leadership position and work with our younger players to help teach them as well as adding real quality on the playing field too.

“I’m very excited to have Jimmy on board and secure his services. He’s a wonderful player, equally at home at centre or in the back-row, a great line-runner and defensively sound.

“I’m really happy to have Jimmy here at York!”