Halifax Panthers make 'big signing' as Maher joins from Hull KR

The 26-year-old spent time at The Shay on loan from Castleford Tigers during 2018 and also enjoyed a spell in the Championship with Batley Bulldogs in 2017.

Maher, who is the club’s first signing ahead of Panthers’ 150th anniversary, said: “I’m really excited to be joining the Panthers, it’s a brilliant club.

“I was here in 2018 and I had a fantastic time on a loan spell then and I’m just looking forward to getting started with the lads.

"I played with Simon [Grix] in my previous spell with the club, he was a fantastic player and I know his coaching has clearly gone from strength to strength.

"It was a tough discussion at first, it’s a big decision but I’m really happy with the choice I’ve made and I think it’s going to be a really beneficial one.”

“I think personally I’ve definitely still got my best rugby left to play and I’m trying to prioritise my happiness if I’m honest. I’m putting that at the forefront of everything really and I feel this is the place to do that.

"There’s a fantastic sets of lads, I’ve played with a lot of them before. I’ve got a lot of people here that I can call genuine friends and I think that makes a big difference on the field.

“I think in 2023, we’ll be looking to build on last year. I think the aim would be a similar league finish if not better and have a real good go at the play-offs and see where we can go from there.”

“I’m excited to be playing in front of the Fax fans again. It was an incredible following all those years ago and I’m sure it’s exactly the same now. I just want to work as hard as I can, do my part for the team and hopefully get the results week in week out for them.”

Fax head coach Simon Grix said: “We’re delighted to have Will with us. I think he gives us Super League experience, he’s been there a while now. Obviously, having him before you forget he was only a very young man at that time.

"He’s developed his play as well and really improved. I do think a big man is something we have missed, we’ve got relatively big blokes but no-one like Will.”

“I think he’s definitely going to add to us. People who have seen his game, he’s really good at falling through the line and getting that ruck speed going which is what we all want.

"A very hard-working and honest player, which will fit nicely with what we have and off the pitch, he’s professional and a very good bloke. I think we’ve got him at a good time, at 26 he’s still got a lot in front of him as well so it’s a good fit for us right now.”

“It’s a big signing for us. We don’t sign that many players straight out of Super League, and for Will, I think it’s just come to a stage where other things are probably a bit more important for him.”

“He’ll fit in well, a number of the lads know him already so he’ll slot in seamlessly I would imagine. He’s also been playing a brand of rugby that is not too dissimilar to ours as well which is nice in terms of the crossover and transition.

"It’s not the first time we’ve tried to get him as well. From his first stint with us, we’ve gone a couple of times to try and see if we can get him.”