A BARROW-BORN former Super League player has made the decision to return to his hometown club.

Ryan Shaw, 28, has signed a two-year deal with Barrow Raiders, it was announced this morning. He played at fullback, wing or centre in the Super League for Hull KR up until 2019.

He had two previous spells at the club on loan in 2012 and 2014 and was keen to return during the latter part of his playing career.

Andy Gaffney, director of rugby at Barrow Raiders, said: “I am excited about this signing as he is a great finisher and defender. He is fast and tough, and we are very lucky to have him here.

"He is a great player and a great lad.

“This shows the ambition of the club signing this calibre of player. We are putting together a squad that could challenge in the Championship.”

The club have made no secret of their intentions and believe that this signing, as well as the multiple others in the last few months, cement that Super League ambition.

Shaw was at Leigh Centurions previously, who have recently won a bid to play in the Super League again following the exit of Toronto Wolfpack.

He was playing on a part-time basis with the club, who helped him gain an apprenticeship with a mechanical and electrics company in Manchester for whom he will continue to work. He was thankful to the team at Leigh for all their help.

The former Barrow Island ARLFC player said: “I would’ve loved to play in the Super League again, but Leigh understood I was thinking about my future.

“I always wanted to finish my career in Barrow, and I can see this as the last chapter and help them get to where they want to be.

"This is a club close to my heart with many members of my family having played for them or been part of the club. My dad captained them during his playing days.

"11 family members have been involved in total just from memory, there may be more I am missing though.

"It just seems right for me to come to this club and I am really happy to end the year here.

"My dad played here for 10 years, he went from playing through the dark times to playing with them in the first division, which was the equivalent of Super League at the time.

"So, I think I do have some big shoes to fill there.

"I have to give thanks to my agent Craig Harrison and Andy Gaffney who were great in getting the deal done so quickly as well."

Shaw went on to credit his amateur club Barrow Island ARLFC who he said are one of the best for breeding the best in the area.