New Dyldam Parramatta Eels outside back Ben Crooks signed with the Blue and Gold after the opportunity to challenge himself in the toughest rugby league competition in the world was too hard to ignore.
Crooks, who signed a two year deal with the Blue and Gold, has played the last three seasons with Hull FC and is looking forward to the challenge.
“I think the profile of the game is so much bigger and to set the challenge to come over and play with the best, it’s something that every Super League player aspires to do," Crooks said.
"The opportunity came across and I couldn’t afford to turn it down."
"The next two years are a vital stage of my development, and the NRL has always been a goal of mine."
Crooks opportunity in the Blue and Gold reconnects him with his coach from his 2013 award-winning season, Eels assistant coach Peter Gentle.
“It’s a hard enough move coming to the other side of the world when you don’t know anybody, but I have worked with Pete and Eels conditioner Paul Devlin who was at Hull when I was there.”
“A couple of new faces always help you settle in to a new environment so it will be good to be working with them again.”
“I haven’t trained in a while so I think I will be the only player looking forward to getting back into the offseason training and getting back into it!”
