Hull FC assembled a new-look squad for the 2025 season under a new head coach in John Cartwright. Several new signings were made, not to mention fresh academy promotions to counter the 23 players that left the club or retired in 2024.
However, the length of those contracts for academy players were not confirmed, with Hull Live now able to confirm several of those deals. As reported last autumn, Hull fended off competition elsewhere to sign twins Callum Kemp and Lloyd Kemp to new contracts, with the spine duo, who have both made their first-team debuts inside the last year, signing three-year extensions.
The same length of deals were signed by two more of Hull’s highly rated youngsters: Ryan Westerman and Will Kirby. Both players too made their first-team debut last year, with Kirby making two more senior appearances this year. The duo are currently out on loan at Championship outfit Hunslet.
Meanwhile, Joe Ward, who made his first-team debut at York Acorn in the Challenge Cup, was signed on a one-year deal. He is out of contract at the end of the season and is also on loan at Hunslet.
Furthermore, Roman Dawson signed a senior deal while still an academy player. The outside back, who suffered a cruel and second successive ACL rupture at the start of the year, is contracted for next season and will hope to make a strong return.
The academy promotions saw Hull run with a squad of over 40 players this year, with several players signed up to new deals this term. They include Will Hutchinson and Herman Ese’ese, who has his future tied up until 2029. Liam Knight, as exclusively reported by Hull Live, has also seen his future secured, albeit not officially confirmed.
The club has also made four new signings for the 2026 season, including the likes of James Bell and Harvie Hill, and hope to make that five with the capture of Leeds Rhinos prop Sam Lisone – should the quota extension rise to ten players, as expected.
There are still numerous players out of contract at the end of 2025, with Cartwright, along with CEO Richie Myler, set to make some big calls in the coming weeks and months. Here is a rundown of when each current first-team player is currently out of contract.
New deals confirmed this year
Denive Balmforth: three years
Harvey Barron: two years
Will Hutchinson: two years
Lewis Martin: three years
Herman Ese’ese: three years
Davy Litten: two years
New signings made for next year
Joe Batchelor, St Helens
James Bell, St Helens
Connor Bailey, York Knights
Harvie Hill, Wigan
Contracted until the end of 2025: 12
Jack Ashworth*, Tom Briscoe, Sam Eseh*, Zach Jebson, Will Gardiner, Liam Knight*, Matty Laidlaw, Jordan Lane*, Ligi Sao, Cobie Wainhouse, Joe Ward, Liam Watts
*Liam Knight has signed a new deal at Hull FC, as exclusively reported by Hull Live. Jack Ashworth is expected to join Jordan Lane at Castleford Tigers. Sam Eseh is on a season-long loan from Wigan.
Contracted until the end of 2026: 10
Yusuf Aydin, Jed Cartwright, Jack Charles, Cade Cust, Roman Dawson, Brad Fash, Zak Hardaker, Jordan Rapana, Hugo Salabio, Aidan Sezer
Contracted until the end of 2027: 10
John Asiata, Harvey Barron, Amir Bourouh, Ed Chamberlain, Will Hutchinson, Callum Kemp, Lloyd Kemp, Will Kirby, Logan Moy, Ryan Westerman
Contracted until the end of 2028: 4
Denive Balmforth, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin, Will Pryce
Contracted until the end of 2029: 1
Herman Ese’ese (one-year option)