NEWLY-CROWNED Keighley Cougars Reserve player of the year Kieran Smith has left the club to join League One rivals Hemel Stags.

The half-back has opted to join the Stags as the Hemel Hempstead side have moved their operations and training base to Sheffield where Smith lives and works and also attends Sheffield Hallam University.

Smith departs for Pennine Way after a sole season in the club’s Reserves programme, in which he made three competitive appearances as well as playing in a number of friendly matches.

He tweeted: "Thanks very much for a great year. Top club that are on the way back up."

Smith also spent a month in Australia in which he was part of the England Universities side who reached the semi-finals of the Student World Cup.