YORK City Knights have raided Chris Thorman’s former club to bring an aspiring Super League youngster to Huntington Stadium.

Half-back Lee Williams, who turns 20 next month, has signed a one-year deal after leaving Hull’s academy. He still has aims of playing in Super League and sees the Knights as a stepping stone back to the big time.

Knights player-coach Thorman, the former Super League star, never played alongside the up-and- coming Williams at Hull before leaving for York two years ago, but he has received strong recommendations from ex-colleagues at the KC Stadium.

“I’ve spoken to people about him, most notably Lee Radford, who’s the new assistant-coach at Hull, and he holds him in high regard,” Thorman said.

“Hull have a new coach coming in and they’ve signed a number of half-backs, so Lee’s opportunities will be limited there, and he sees this club as a springboard back into the big time.

“He still has aspirations of playing Super League and that’s great – I would be disappointed if he did not aspire to that. We’re excited about having him here to complement other players in the squad, and he’s looking forward to getting started.”

The Knights are still being linked with Wakefield’s former Batley half-back, Gareth Moore, while they are set to talk to Jonny Presley, another half-back, about staying at Huntington Stadium.

Presley had planned to travel to Australia so was not expected back in 2012 but nothing is confirmed.

Scott Woods, son of departed head coach Dave Woods, has as expected rejoined Championship One side Gateshead Thunder, so Thorman is the only recognised half-back signed up for 2012, but rumours abound that, in addition to Moore, he has his eye on a couple more pivotal players.

Therefore, Williams is by no means guaranteed a first-team berth in the halves.

Thorman said: “I had a long conversation about that with Lee and his dad. I can promise him an opportunity, that he will be well-coached and that he will work with a really good group of people.

“But nobody is guaranteed a shirt – and I include myself in that – unless they perform. Everyone starts on an even footing.

“He wants to play in Super League and he wants to do that by playing well in the Championship, and that’s great. But he needs to demand a shirt with his performances in training, in pre-season and in matches.”

Williams signed for Hull aged 16, and has been full-time this past season. He is a product of Skirlaugh ARLC and has represented England at under-15 and U16 level.

Thorman added: “It (half-back) is a position that needs to be strengthened and it’s great Lee’s signed.”

Ryan Esders has joined Championship rivals Dewsbury after being released by York.

Meanwhile, former Knight David March has signed a new deal with Hunslet despite the departure of his twin, Paul, as player-coach.