LEE MAPALS has signed for Keighley Cougars just days after leaving Doncaster.

The former York City Knights flier – and top try-scorer in the past two seasons – was frozen out of the first-team picture at Huntington Stadium from July onwards last year for off-field issues, despite scoring 18 tries in as many appearances.

The Leeds-based 23-year-old joined Doncaster in the off-season but left by mutual consent last week, with travelling problems being cited as the reason.

The Cougars, the Knights’ Championship One rivals, quickly snapped him up, with boss Barry Eaton saying the winger’s friendship with former Hunslet and York team-mates George Rayner and Jamaine Wray helped persuade him to go there.

“They both played with Lee at York and that’s possibly swung it for us. He gets on well with them and they certainly played their part in this deal,” said Eaton.

“His arrival now gives us fantastic competition for places in the backs.

“Lee’s someone I’ve really hated coaching and playing against over the last three or four years. He’s very difficult to get hold of with great feet and upper body strength so he’s always a threat.

“I’m really excited we’ve managed to get him here to Keighley.

“He’s a true quality player who I’ve shown interest in both this year and last.

“Doncaster have gone up to the Championship and Lee initially decided to go there but it’s not worked out and it’s proved a bonus for us.”

Former Knights captain Dan Potter is also still with Keighley, whom York meet in the league on April 10, at Cougar Park, and on May 4, at Huntington Stadium.