YORK City Knights have announced the signing of youngster Toby Warren, who will join the club in 2021 on community dual registration terms from Heworth ARLFC.

17-year-old Warren impressed as part of the club’s Excel programme, where young players through the city receive quality coaching and guidance as well as a pathway to the Knights.

After joining the New Earswick All Blacks in 2016, back-rower Warren’s first experience with the Excel program was in 2018 and Knights head coach James Ford was impressed with his displays as the teenager now joins the first team squad.

On the signing of Warren, boss Ford explained: “Toby is a young man that we wanted to bring into our environment last season - only to find out he was a year too young.

“Toby has plenty of athletic potential, but I was really impressed with his drive, coachability, and willingness to take responsibility for his own development at such a young age.

“I can’t stress enough the importance of qualities like these and I’m looking forwards to seeing whereabouts he’s at towards the end of our pre-season.

“It’ll be a difficult initial transition for Toby but we’re sure he’ll display the resilience needed to continue his development.”

Warren himself said: “It’s obviously is a great feeling, with the group of players and coaches we have this season I don’t see why we won’t be pushing for promotion and I’m just thankful and proud to be given the opportunity to be a part of it.

“I want to have a long career in the game with the coaching staff at York helping me and I don’t see why that isn’t possible.”