CHRIS THORMAN has hailed the signing of one-time Great Britain prop Paul King as a huge fillip for York City Knights.

Player-coach Thorman was a team-mate of King at Hull in 2009 and he says the 32-year-old – who has signed a one-year deal after becoming the latest squadbuilder fund-assisted recruit – will bring aggression, ability and experience to Huntington Stadium to complement the younger players in the pack.

The Press understands those ranks will also include Jack Aldous, the Hull academy product who had a month-long loan spell at Huntington Stadium ending in July. The 20-year-old is also to make a permanent move to the Co-operative Championship club.

King, from Humberside, spent the last month of the 2011 season in Championship One with Whitehaven after being released by Wakefield. He had played 31 games for the Wildcats after joining from long-term employers Hull, for whom he played 226 times between 1998 and 2009, winning the Challenge Cup in 2005 and earning a GB cap in 2001.

Thorman believes he is more than capable of starring in higher tiers again.

Said the Geordie: “The fact Paul’s played for Great Britain is no mean feat. Anyone who’s done that – that’s some talent. He will bring aggression and force in the middle of the park, but he’s also a really good ball player and hopefully the Knights fans will see that.

“He’s more than capable of throwing a 20-metre spin pass and as a half-back it allows you to adapt and change your game when there are props capable of doing that.

“It’s about getting people to complement the people already here, and Paul will definitely do that.

“He also brings a great amount of experience – playing more than 250 games in Super League says a lot.”

The news is particularly timely as it comes just three days after fellow prop Jack Stearman, who is widely expected to sign back at home-town club York, was ruled out of action for at least two months after dislocating an elbow playing for Scotland against Ireland in the European Cup.

King, and Aldous, should the latter’s recruitment be confirmed, join club captain Alex Benson, Adam Sullivan, Stearman, Adam Sullivan and Championship hopefuls Adam Howard and Davey Burns as props signed on for 2012.

King is also the eighth player to be signed thanks to fans’ donations to the squadbuilder fund, after Jack Lee, James Haynes, James Ford, Sullivan, Waine Pryce, George Elliott and Tommy Haughey. This fund tops up the amount the club can offer players, and The Press understands this latest contribution is its most significant to date.

“He’s an outstanding player and one who will add a lot to our pack,” said Thorman. “I felt we needed more props, and, looking at Jack’s situation, that only added to that.”

Asked if King would still have the hunger to give 100 per cent each week, rather than become a journeyman picking up one last pay packet, Thorman was adamant.

“You should hang your boots up if you don’t have that desire,” he said. “Knowing the person and the player, I’m sure he has.

“I’ve spoken to him about it and he’s definitely up for the challenge. He was a bit disappointed with this year but he wants to go out on a high, and we’re giving him that opportunity. It’s a great signing for the club. He’s an excellent player and the up-and-coming props around him, like Jack Stearman, can learn an awful lot from him.”

• York-based former Knight Ross Divorty, who recently joined Halifax from champions Featherstone, has been named in the 24-man Wales squad for the Four Nations.