LEIGH Centurions have signed Joe Cator from Hull Kingston Rovers.

Cator, 20, is a versatile player with Super League experience and can play loose forward or hooker with equal effectiveness.

Centurions head coach John Duffy said: "Joe wants to play games and he's going to come over from Hull, live in Leigh, get a job and get stuck in. That's the sort of commitment we want. He's hungry and determined.

"Hull KR have released him from his contract and Joe's going to be a great addition to our squad. He is very versatile and can play back row, hooker or middle. He's an outstanding prospect.

"He went to both Coventry and Newcastle last season to get game time and played some first team games for Hull KR but he sees this as his big opportunity.

"Joe's a quality person and a quality player and he'll fit in very quickly. He's got a burning desire to help this club get back to Super League."

Cator says the experience of Rovers' Challenge Cup victory at LSV in 2017 convinced him he's made the right decision joining the Centurions.

"Leigh's a massive club with fantastic facilities and a great fan base," he says. "I was 18th man that day and I can still remember the passion of the Leigh fans and the noise they made. It'll be great to play in front of them.

"I played five games for Rovers in 2018 and it's not enough at this stage of my career.

"I realised I needed more game time and I got my manager to get my clips out there.

"When John got in touch I didn't need to think twice.

"John's helping me get a job and I'm looking forward to moving over and getting started. It will make me grow as a person and will be a bit of a reality check for me.

"It's just the challenge I need and a great opportunity I don't intend to waste."

Cator comes from a rugby family.

"His late dad Mike played for Rovers A team as a prop forward and made one first team appearance for the Robins in 1986. His elder brothers Sam and Lee play for the West Hull community club.

"My last game for Rovers was in the Hull derby in July and that was a really emotional occasion," he explains.

"We won and that win was for my dad, who passed away when I was six-years-old."

Cator, who graduated through the ranks at Skirlaugh Bulls, made his Rovers first-team debut in 2016 and pays tribute to the influence of head coach Tim Sheens and assistant David Hodgson in particular for helping shape his career.

"Tim's an awesome coach and very attack-minded," he says. "He helped me understand the game so much more. David was always there at training and willing to stay behind with extras to help my game. He's a great bloke and very knowledgeable.

"He was first on the training field and last to leave.

"I had a good run of games when I was 18 but I found last season frustrating to be honest.

"It was almost training for training's sake as I had to stay ready in case I was called upon but just wasn't getting the games I needed.

"Chris Atkin at Rovers played for John at Swinton and he says he's a great coach and a great bloke who will really help my game. And having the chance to train and play alongside someone like Micky Higham is a fantastic opportunity for me.

"I'd like to thank Rovers for being so understanding of my situation and giving me the opportunity to move on and progress my career. I want to start enjoying my rugby again and I can't wait to get started."