Richard Whiting has brought his 12-year spell at Hull FC to an end by turning his loan deal with Kingstone Press Championship leaders Leigh into a permanent move.
The 31-year-old centre or second rower scored 78 tries in 257 games for Hull after joining them from Featherstone Rovers in 2004 and was a member of their 2005 Challenge Cup-winning side.
Unable to break into Lee Radford’s team this year, he joined the Centurions two months ago and will now stay on loan at the Leigh Sports Village to the end of the season, when he will take up a contract to the end of 2017.
Leigh coach Neil Jukes said: “Richard is a great professional and has proved himself to be a big asset during his time with us.
“He is a very versatile player and has really enjoyed his time here. I know that in one way he will be sad to leave Hull after giving many years of valuable service to them but he is excited by the challenge at Leigh Centurions and ready to write a new chapter into his illustrious playing career.”
Whiting was named Super League’s young player of the year in 2005 and scored a try in Hull’s shock Challenge Cup final win over Leeds Rhinos. He was also in the Hull team that reached the 2006 Super League Grand Final.
Whiting said: “I knew at some point it would be time to say goodbye.
“The opportunity has presented itself at Leigh where I am really enjoying playing and it is an exciting time to be around the club so it is the right time for me and the club.
“We have a great squad at Leigh and a chance to go up into Super League, which is exciting and something I want to be part of.”
Hull coach Radford said: “Rich has been a fantastic servant to the club since day one and his utility value has been important over the many years he has played for us.
“He’s done the same job in whichever position he’s been asked to play, both in the build-up to matches and switching during games.
“We are at a point where we couldn’t guarantee Rich regular footy and he is at the stage in his career where that is important, he needs to be playing week in-week out.
“Leigh have presented him with the opportunity to have that both this season and beyond, so the call was a no-brainer for him.”