Hardaker not able to sign for a Hull club

ZAK Hardaker was told he could not pursue a move to either Hull FC or Hull KR as part of Wigan’s agreement to let him speak to clubs.

The former Man of Steel looks set to stay at the DW Stadium next season after being unable to finalise a deal before a deadline that was imposed by the Warriors last week.

Rugby League Live revealed that Hardaker’s representatives were informed that they could pursue a move closer to home for the 29-year-old last week, after his family relocated back to West Yorkshire. Hardaker had asked the club if he could seek a move nearer to his home after a change in personal circumstances.

However, the club also added that a resolution must be found by the end of the week.

In a further development, Rugby League Live has now learned that Hardaker was banned from speaking to either Hull FC or Hull KR as part of the agreement put in place by the club.

That was due to the geographical location of the city, with Wigan stating that Hardaker would still have to undergo an extensive commute if he were to join either the Black and Whites or the Robins.

Hardaker is thought to live in the Pontefract region, which is roughly 47 miles from Hull. Wigan is around 67 miles.

It means Hardaker was told he could only speak to clubs in West Yorkshire, such as former clubs Castleford Tigers and Leeds Rhinos, Wakefield Trinity and Huddersfield Giants. Another of Hardaker’s former clubs, Featherstone Rovers, also fell into that category.

The situation is thought to have disappointed the England and Great Britain international, who was hopeful of securing a club located closer to home. His reasons for wanting to leave are thought to be purely personal and have nothing to do with on-field matters at the club.

However, he is now set to enter the final year of his contract, though chairman Ian Lenagan has threatened to activate an option in his contract to keep him at the club an extra year.

Lenagan said: “We have a second-year option so the idea he’s going at the end of next year.. he’s going if we let him go, or we may take the option. We’re aware of the fact he’d rather be over there and we hope it doesn’t impact too badly on his game.”