YORK Knights have signed former Heworth youngster Oli Pratt from Betfred Super League strugglers Wakefield Trinity on loan until the end of the season.

Pratt, 18, signed a three-year contract with the Super League side during the off-season, having progressed through their youth system, but is yet to make a first-team appearance for Trinity.

Capable of playing centre, wing or full-back, the highly-rated outside back arrives at the LNER Community Stadium with a promising future ahead of him, and was earlier this month selected for Yorkshire, ahead of their matches against Lancashire in this year’s Academy Origin Series.

He is the third player to have joined York on loan from the Super League this season, following in the footsteps of Hull KR back Connor Barley and forward Oli Field from heavyweights Leeds Rhinos, both whom have impressed.

The deal sees the Knights continue their association with York amateur side Heworth, with Pratt the fifth of the community club’s products in the current Knights squad, alongside Ben Barnard, Brad Ward, and first team regulars Myles Harrison and AJ Towse.

York Press: A young Oli Pratt in action for Heworth.A young Oli Pratt in action for Heworth. (Image: Newsquest)

Knights head coach Andrew Henderson is delighted to have secured Pratt’s services for the remainder of the Betfred Championship season and is hopeful that he will continue to develop at York.

“Oli is a product of the York system, having come through the community game at Heworth before being signed by Wakefield,” he said.

“I think that he can add some real value for us. He’s a fantastic athlete and a strong carrier out of back-field.

“He’s still a young player, so there’s areas of game that he needs to work on and as coaches, we’ll hopefully be able to refine those areas.”

York have been particularly badly injury-hit in the backs, and Henderson believes that his newest acquisition will further strengthen his options in the back line.

“For us, it helps create competition for places,” he added.

"Adding more bodies creates fresh energy and hopefully will raise the intensity levels at training. Plus, as coach, it gives me more options to consider.

“It’s an important signing for us at this stage of the season and I’m thankful to Wakefield for allowing us to bring Oli in and our Chairman Clint Godchild for making the deal happen.

“I considered bringing in Oli earlier this season but he wasn’t available at that stage. Now he is.

“Hopefully we can aid him and his development and he can add some real value to us during his time here.” 

Pratt was similarly enthusiastic about the move and is relishing the challenge of senior rugby.

“I’m delighted to be here at York on loan until the end of the season,” he enthused.

“I want to be playing against men, not just kids my own age in the Reserves at Wakefield.

“Hopefully I can experience a different type of rugby league in the Betfred Championship with York.

“It’s going to be a big challenge but it’s one that I’m really looking forward to and it can only benefit my game.

“I played in a few first-team friendlies for Wakefield and really enjoyed it. The Academy and Reserves has been good for me, but to progress my game, I need to be playing first-team rugby league.

“Hopefully I can earn my spot in the team here at York, get some game time and impress the coaching staff here.”

Pratt could make his Knights debut on Sunday, as they return to Championship action at home to London Broncos (3pm).