LEON Pryce's arrival at Hull FC next season can have a similar impact to that of marquee man Gareth Ellis.
That's the belief of Hull coach Lee Radford, who admits to being a relieved man at finally completing his drawn-out search for a new half-back pairing for his side.
Pryce will arrive at the KC Stadium next season on a two-year deal, with the 32-year-old bringing a wealth of experience that includes playing in nine Grand Finals, a feat only bettered by his former Bradford team-mate Jamie Peacock.
One of the competition's form half-backs this season and a player who proved the difference of late in helping his Catalan Dragons team to victory over Hull, Radford is confident he's recruited a half-back who will do the job on the field.
But with one eye on the future also, and with a crop of promising halves coming through the ranks at Hull, the coach is also convinced he's signed the ideal man to make an impression on the squad in his leadership qualities on the training ground.
"I'm over the moon to get Leon," Radford told the Mail.
"He's arguably one of the form halves in the competition this year. The experience he will bring is fantastic.
"He knows the competition, he'll be great for the group and great for the young blokes we have here because we have a young back division at this club.
"Leon is someone that I have known for a long time and everywhere he has been he's been an asset.
"We have two great halves coming through in Harry Tyson-Wilson and Jordan Abdull and we feel they will benefit from being around him massively.
"You have to respect what he has done, he's a leader and will be great for us on and off the field, he'll have that impact you get when you sign someone of his experience."
Ellis has been a standout figure for Hull this season on the field and has set new standards off it, something Radford hopes Pryce will play his part in.
The capture of Pryce and Marc Sneyd marks the end of a frustrating search for Radford, having been in for Michael Dobson and Terry Campese from the NRL to name just two of a list of targets.
Relieved to get his business done and be free from the pressure of sorting an important part of his jigsaw, Radford believes it's worked out well in terms of knowing exactly what he is going to get from the two Englishmen rather than take the gamble on an overseas star.
"It's difficult when you sign players from Australia to know about the person you are signing, but in Leon's case in particular there is no gamble because I know exactly what I am getting," added Radford.
"He's a great professional and will be great for us. Leon is a competitor, he's like that if he's playing tiddlywinks, and he's prepared to cheat at that as well.
"He brings leadership qualities, says it how it is in video sessions and that's what we want.
"Marc will be great too. When Marc was made available we jumped at the chance. "He's been one of the key reasons in Castleford's success this year.
"He's an unbelievable goal kicker as well which is something that has maybe cost us one or two times this year."
