Brett Seymour has returned to Super League by signing a one-year deal with Castleford Tigers.
The 28-year-old half-back had a high-profile exit from Hull FC earlier this year, with his departure from the KC Stadium preceded by two months of compassionate leave.
Seymour was taken to hospital in March after crashing his car, with his wife later saying he was “desperate”, suffering from depression and may have been trying to take his own life. Hull allowed him time to deal with his off-field problems before releasing him in April.
The former Brisbane, Cronulla and New Zealand Warriors man is now keen to repay Castleford for showing faith in him. “I can’t thank (Castleford chief executive) Steve Gill and (coach) Daryl Powell enough for giving the opportunity to put things right,” he said.
“The way it ended at Hull wasn’t nice but I’ve got things sorted in my personal life which is the main thing.
“I’ve got to prove a point and that’s out on the paddock. I’m healthy, raring to go and ready to be back playing and I’m happy to be here at Castleford.”
Seymour arrives at Castleford just as England half-back Rangi Chase departs and appears an obvious like-for-like replacement.
“Brett is a quality individual who I have been really impressed with after meeting him,” Powell said. “He is excited by the opportunity of playing at Castleford and his game will be ideally suited to the way we want to play next year.
“I am really looking forward to working with him next season. I know that he has a lot to prove, but that brings out the best in people and I am confident that it will in Brett.”
Seymour is keen to avoid comparisons with Chase, though. “I won’t be looking to fill his boots; I have a different style to him and the coach and I will work on things,” he added.
State of Mind would like to wish Brett all the very best in his new challenge!