Zak Hardaker will line up for Hull FC one final time on Friday night.
Outgoing Hull FC star Zak Hardaker. (Image: Hull FC)
Andy Last has stated he is ‘gutted’ to lose Hull FC veteran Zak Hardaker at the end of the season, but he understands why the two parties have come to an agreement to allow the player to sign a deal with fellow Super League outfit York Knights next season.
Both the player and club activated a one-year option to keep Hardaker at the Black and Whites for the 2027 season just a few months ago. However, the 34-year-old, who turns 35 in the off-season, has been able to secure a two-year deal taking him into 2028 – something Last says was no guarantee at Hull.
That deal will prematurely bring an end to Hardaker’s time at Hull, with the player – who would have competed with the likes of Jordan Swann and Junior Pauga for a spot in the FC side next year – now gunning to go out with a bang against former club Leeds Rhinos on Friday night.
The Featherstone-born star, who has been superb in his time in East Yorkshire, will do so alongside long-time friend and teammate Tom Briscoe, who is playing the last game of his professional career at Headingley.
“Gutted,” Last said when asked about Hardaker’s incoming departure. “He’s a good player, is Zak, and he has been a good servant for us in the two years he’s been here. He’s been very consistent, but he’s managed to earn himself an extra couple of years at York.
“We were in a position where we only could guarantee him the 12 months, so it’s a good deal for Zak and the club didn’t want to stand in his way for being such a good servant to us.
“I totally understand it, both from his perspective, and I can understand it from our perspective. He’s been a good servant for us, but we couldn’t guarantee him another 12 months on the back of next year’s contract and he’s been able to secure that at York. We wish him all the best.”
Asked how big a loss Hardaker will be next year, Last continued: “Hopefully, it won’t be a huge loss, but Zak brings some qualities which are very hard to replace.
“He is a great competitor. His versatility is also something which we’ve desperately needed over the last two years. He’s played centre, wing, full-back, half-back, and back-row, so he’s a very versatile player. York have got a good player and we wish him all the best.
“But I think the biggest thing that Zak brings every day is that competitiveness. And I think that’s something, obviously, that Mark (Applegarth) has seen as the York head coach.
“He turns up and competes every single day in training and he completes extremely hard whenever he takes to the field.”
Hardaker will take to the field for Hull at Headingley after recovering from a recent calf injury sustained at St Helens last month.
“Zak is desperate to play in Tom’s last game,” Last said. “He’s come through all of his return-to-play protocols and he’ll play a significant role on Friday night.”