Jake Arthur is set to join Hull FC next season.
NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 08: Jake Arthur of the Knights with the ball during the round 23 NRL match between Newcastle Knights and Penrith Panthers at McDonald Jones Stadium, on August 08, 2025, in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)(Image: Getty)
Hull FC have agreed a deal to sign Australian half-back Jake Arthur for the 2026 season and beyond. Hull Live first reported the Black and Whites’ interest in Arthur at the start of August, with John Cartwright confirming that interest shortly after. However, the deal for Arthur is now understood to be completed, with the 22-year-old set to join the club next season on a two-year contract.
Of course, Hull have been searching in recent weeks for a new half-back to partner Aidan Sezer. They made a play for Jock Madden, but the Australian opted against a move to Super League, instead signing for NRL club Wests Tigers.
But now Hull have got their man, with Arthur, who has weighed up his options in Australia, now set to partner Sezer and allow Cade Cust, who recently re-signed with the club for another two years, to take the fourteen role, offering cover to both the half and hooker positions.
The Aussie playmaker will become Hull’s 10th quota player for 2026 and third new overseas signing, following on from James Bell and Sam Lisone. Hull also have all seven of their current quota players signed up next year: John Asiata, Jed Cartwright, Cade Cust, Herman Ese’ese, Liam Knight, Jordan Rapana, and Aidan Sezer – ensuring that their overseas cap is now full after the Super League quota extension was officially confirmed from seven to ten last month.
Meanwhile, Arthur is currently at NRL outfit Newcastle Knights and has played the last three games for the struggling side. The son of Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur, he made a mid-season move from Manly Sea Eagles until the end of the year and has 30 NRL appearances in total to his name. He also played for Parramatta Eels, appearing in the 2022 Grand Final under Arthur, who he will meet next year when Hull take on the Rhinos.
On Arthur’s links to Hull FC earlier this month, Arthur senior said: “I’ve given him advice, but he’s 22 now; he doesn’t want to listen to me!
“He’s at a stage of his career where he’s getting an opportunity this weekend to play, and he’s grateful for Newcastle giving him an opportunity. But he’s got an opportunity over here where he might be able to run his own team. That’s up to him. I’ve told him it’s a good competition.”
Arthur has also appeared regularly in the New South Wales Cup, where he led the way for try assists earlier this season. He is the sixth new recruit at Hull for 2026, with the club also signing three domestic recruits in Joe Batchelor, Harvie Hill, and Connor Bailey.