YORK City Knights have boosted their central power with the capture of Scotland international Damien Reed.

As revealed by the Evening Press earlier this month, the Knights have been on the trail of the Gateshead star for some weeks, and Steve Ferres today confirmed the 19-year-old had signed, with the club paying Thunder a nominal fee.

The door at Huntington Stadium has revolved the other way, too, with James Brown leaving for Dewsbury Rams - though the deal was yet to be completed, despite reports elsewhere saying is had been finalised.

Leeds-based Reed was Gateshead Thunder's club player of the year last season after finishing top try-scorer with 18 from centre, and the former Leeds Rhinos junior was then picked for Scotland's European Nations Cup squad last month.

He has joined prop Yusuf Sozi, another of Gateshead's Yorkshire-based players last season - and another player-of-the-year award winner after picking up the Thunder supporters' accolade - in making the switch to Huntington Stadium.

"Damien should add some pace to our back line and the ability to get over the try-line," Ferres told the Evening Press.

"He got 18 tries last year with a team who, for much of the season after a good start, were struggling.

"He's got a very good strike rate and he's a young lad coming forward."

Brown started the defeat at Swinton Lions in August at full-back but was substituted at half-time after a yellow card, while he came on as substitute in both the next two games, playing at half-back.

It is thought the 23-year-old former Leeds Rhinos youngster - who ironically came to Huntington Stadium in the summer after spurning advances from the Rams - preferred playing at half-back but his chances with the Knights would be limited, with Danny Brough, Scott Rhodes, Jim Elston and, should he sign, Carl Hughes possibly above him in the pecking order.

Ferres said: "He's going to go to Dewsbury Rams.

"He couldn't see a big opportunity for him at the Knights and he's keen to play regular first team football, and we're not going to keep anybody who is not going to be happy here.

"We've not got a problem with him or the move."

Updated: 11:11 Monday, November 24, 2003