Hull FC are delighted to announce the signing of Zak Hardaker from Leigh Leopards for the 2025 Betfred Super League season.
A significant piece of recruitment for the club, the experienced centre and Man of Steel winner has signed a two-year deal with the Black & Whites, keeping him at the MKM Stadium until at least the end of the 2026 campaign.
One of the most experienced and decorated outside-backs in the British game, with 10 major honours to his name having won trophies at every Super League club he has represented, former England and Great Britain international Hardaker has amassed over 360 senior appearances since his professional debut over the past 15 years.
A threatening centre, with capabilities to feature at both wing and full-back, Hardaker has scored over 1,100 points throughout his career, with 114 tries to his name and almost 300 goals as an astute goal-kicker.
A Featherstone Lions junior, Hardaker made his senior debut with Featherstone Rovers in 2010 before linking up with Leeds Rhinos at the end of his first professional season in the game – he would go on to make 155 appearances for the Headingley outfit in his first spell with the club, forming part of the legendary side that won three Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups, a World Club Challenge and a League Leaders Shield.
Such was Hardaker’s success with the club, he was named as Super League’s Man of Steel in 2015, as well as being named in Super League’s Dream Team in 2014 and 2015, and becoming a regular name on the England team sheet too.
Hardaker enjoyed six years with the West Yorkshire side before joining NRL side Penrith Panthers for the 2016 season, helping the side reach semi-finals of the competition.
A return to the UK followed in 2017, joining Castleford Tigers where he played a key role in aiding the side to a League Leaders Shield, and a first ever Super League Grand Final appearance, before enjoying a successful three-and-a-half years with Wigan Warriors, adding another League Leader Shield success to his name in 2020.
Hardaker joined Leigh following their promotion to Super League in 2023, adding a further Challenge Cup medal to his collection in the Leopards victory over Hull KR at Wembley last year, and has been a mainstay in the side across the last 18-months, missing just six games for the club since his arrival.
Hardaker is the Airlie Birds’ fourth recruit as the club continue to build ahead of the 2025 campaign, alongside powerhouse forward John Asiata, dangerous playmaker Jordan Abdull, and talented young hooker Amir Bourouh.
Speaking to hullfc.com, Hardaker said: “When a club like Hull FC wants to bring you in, you tend to sit up and listen, and I’m really excited to join a club like this for 2025.
“The MKM Stadium has always been a place I’ve loved to come and play at, so I’m looking forward to be calling that my new home ground from next season.
“Next year will be my sixteenth year playing professionally, and I hope the experience I’ve gained from all of that time will be really valuable for a lot of the promising youngsters coming through at the club, who I have really enjoyed watching over the last few weeks.”
Hull FC’s Director of Rugby, Richie Myler, added: “We’re delighted to be adding one of the most experienced outside-backs in the game to our ranks next season in Zak.
“Zak has achieved almost everything there is to achieve in the sport – he is a winner, and we’re hoping he can become one of our key figures over the next couple of years.
“With over 360 senior appearances under his belt, we’re hoping that some of his experiences in the game and the knowledge he has acquired can rub off on some of our talented young outside backs with the likes of Logan Moy, Lewis Martin and Harvey Barron.”
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