Former NRL front-rower Franklin Pele has become the second ex-Canterbury Bulldogs player to link up with a new team on a short-term loan, following in the footsteps of Jayden Okunbor.
After leaving the Bulldogs at the end of last season, Pele initially joined Hull FC alongside Okunbor. However, he has now agreed to a two-week loan deal with York Knights in the RFL Championship, the second-tier of Super League football in England. Pele is set to make his debut for York Knights on Sunday.
At just 22 years old, Pele made the surprising decision to leave the NRL last year after three seasons and seven NRL games with the Bulldogs and Cronulla Sharks. Despite being touted as an impact player off the bench, he spent most of his time in the NSW Cup with the respective feeder teams.
“Franklin is the type of middle-unit player that we’ve been looking for and he is someone that will be able to give us a point of difference, so we’re very thankful to be able to acquire his services,” York Knights head coach Andrew Henderson said. “He will give us some punch and some real go-forward through the middle, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what he will bring.”
Henderson also expressed gratitude to Chairman Clint Goodchild and Richie Myler at Hull FC for facilitating these moves.
