YOUNG York City Knights prodigy Tom Lineham is to join Super League club Hull FC – with the Championship outfit getting no fee in return.

Flying winger Lineham, then 18, burst onto the scene last season with 11 tries in 18 appearances before his campaign was ended by a knee injury in early August, followed by major surgery.

As a 17-year-old, he came a close-up third in a one-off sprint challenge featuring the fastest players in Super League.

That raw ability – which also includes considerable size and strength for a teenager – had a few top-tier clubs keeps tabs on his progress, and Hull have made their move now the player is returning to action after his long lay-off.

He played for the Knights reserves at Widnes Vikings on Saturday, scoring the last-minute try that secured a comeback draw, and is also in the second string that entertain their Keighley counterparts at Huntington Stadium tonight (8pm).

Lineham had a clause in his contract which allowed him to move on for free if a Super League club came in for him, and the Knights, while disappointed, have not stood in his way.

However, The Press understands the player will start with only a five-week contract with the Airlie Birds, during which he will have to win a longer-term deal.

He is set to make the move at the end of this month, and could return to the Knights if that audition is unsuccessful, or via a temporary agreement should he be retained in the KC Stadium ranks without breaking into the first-team picture. York will have a first option on a loan or dual-registration deal.

Knights general manager Ian Wilson confirmed the impending move, and wished the former Selby College and York College student good luck.

He said: “It’s a good opportunity for him so we can’t be too disappointed (to be losing him). Obviously we wish him all the best, and if it doesn’t work out I’m sure there will be an opportunity for him to return. But hopefully he will do well.”

Hull have agreed to play a pre-season friendly with York next year with the Knights keeping the gate receipts. This acts as some compensation for the move.

As for receiving no fee, Wilson said: “It’s a bit disappointing – we’ve done quite a bit of development work, bringing him through. But those are the rules. It’s not ideal for us but it was part of his contract and we’ve always been happy when our players get a chance to progress their careers in Super League.”