Hull FC have completed a double swoop for half-backs Leon Pryce and Marc Sneyd for 2015.
The 32-year-old Pryce, who is out of contract with Catalan Dragons at the end of the season, has signed a two-year deal, while Hull have agreed a £100,000 transfer fee with Salford Red Devils for the 22-year-old Sneyd, who is currently on a season-long loan at Castleford Tigers.
Sneyd, who recently had a transfer request rejected by the Red Devils, has signed a three-year contract with the Black and Whites, with an option to extend the deal.
Pryce has spent the last three seasons in Perpignan after previous trophy-laden spells with Bradford Bulls and St Helens and had no shortage of offers after re-discovering his form this year.
The former Great Britain stand-off, who has won 24 international caps, has opted to team up with his old Bulls team-mate Lee Radford, the Hull head coach.
“Lee Radford is one of the main reasons I am coming over to play in Hull,” Pryce said. “He is a top-class individual and I’m looking forward to playing for him and doing the best I can.
“It’s a big club with really passionate fans and that is what excited me. I have grown up with the Leeds-Bradford derby and played in the Saints-Wigan derby but now I am going to play in the Hull derby which was a reason I wanted to join Hull FC.”
Castleford were keen to retain the services of Sneyd, who has been a revelation in their outstanding season, but are thought to have baulked at the size of the transfer fee demanded by Salford.
Sneyd said: “I think for me it was an opportunity that was too good to miss. There is a good following of fans who are always really loud and loyal. I hope I can build a career here.
“It looks like a good challenge for me and a club that wants to go places. It’s exciting to know I can be part of that.”
The signings will cast a doubt over the future of Hull’s Australian scrum-half Jacob Miller, 21, who is under contract for next season but has recently been playing on a dual registration for Doncaster.
Radford said: “We are really pleased to have secured both players for next season, particularly as we had a bit of stiff competition from a couple of other clubs who tabled considerable offers.
“There aren’t many better CVs in the competition than that of Leon and that experience will be great for our young halves like Jordan Rankin, Jordan Abdull and Harry Tyson-Wilson, who can learn from a Grand Final winner and former Super League Young Player of the Year.
“That experience is invaluable and he is a great character for me to have around the club and work with the other players.
“With that experience comes age but I don’t think anyone would question that when you look at how many games he has played over the last four seasons and has arguably been Catalans’ most consistent performer.
“Marc has had a tremendous season and Castleford’s form is in a good part down to that. He has a superb left-foot kicking game and a fantastic touch on the ball, which we think will give him the opportunity to blossom into a really good young British half-back.
“His signing compliments our move for Leon and hopefully he can learn from him to realise his ambitions for honours and international appearances which he wants to achieve at our club.”