CHRISTIAN Georgiou, who has been on loan with both Wharfedale and Otley, has signed a new deal with Yorkshire Carnegie.

Georgiou – son of former Yorkshire player Jason who finished third in the Headingley club's player of the season voting – is among the last batch of five players who were out of contract in the summer.

Winger Oli Goss has also signed a two-year extension, while the others have signed one-year deals – former Otley loanee Richard Beck, who is a lock, prop Ben Hooper and hooker Joe Graham.

Yorkshire Carnegie head coach Bryan Redpath, who has set his sights on a big pre-season with the Greene King IPA Championship club, said: “It is great to have over 30 players already contracted to the club from last season.

"That will give us continuity as we build towards next season. We have already announced an additional six new signings and hope to add at least two more in the near future.

"There is a positive attitude around the club, despite us missing out on the play-offs this season, and I know we will be putting the extra time we have for pre-season training this summer to good use for the campaign ahead.

“Richard is very highly thought of by everyone at Yorkshire Carnegie but I know he has been frustrated by his run of injuries in recent years. Oli and Christian have been rewarded for their efforts this season and we are all expecting even further improvement next year.”

Director of Rugby Chris Gibson said: “This is the strongest group we have had for a number of seasons. The board have stated our ambition to finish in the top two of the Greene King IPA Championship, and our squad retention certainly gives us an opportunity to do that in a very tough competition."

Meanwhile, barnstorming former Otley and Carnegie No 8 Ollie Stedman has signed with Championship rivals Doncaster Knights, having spent a successful loan spell at Castle Park from Aviva Premiership London Welsh.