KEIGHLEY Cougars have announced the signing of Jamaican international Keenen Tomlinson, after his departure from Dewsbury Rams.

The 25-year-old, son of of former Cougars winger Max Tomlinson, is a versatile forward, who can primarily be found playing in the second row.

He was on the lookout for a new club after playing his part in Jamaica's historic Rugby League World Cup debut, and has found a home at Cougar Park following a successful trial period with Rhys Lovegrove’s side.

And the Keighley Cougars head coach is happy to see what a player he knows well can bring to this squad ahead of their return to the Betfred Championship.

“Keenen is a player I know well from my time last year in camp with Jamaica,” admitted Lovegrove.

“He offers me versatility as he can cover a number of positions and a player with his attributes will also be useful in a 30 plus game season like the one we are about to embark on.

“We had Keenen on trial a couple of years back, but he opted at the time to sign with Dewsbury, who were of course in a higher league than us at that point.

“He is fast, athletic, and a fantastic human being, which are the attributes I was looking for when we first brought him on trial after the World Cup.

“And he also has that connection with Keighley as a club from his childhood through his dad so again, he knows what is expected of him by not just me, but the supporters also.

“I am happy for Keenen that his trial period was a successful one and I know he can’t wait to rip in starting at Newcastle on Saturday.”

Tomlinson began playing rugby league in the junior ranks at Stanningley, before he was scouted by the Bradford Bulls and signed to their youth system.

Unusually, the then 19-year-old made his professional debut on the international stage for Jamaica in a 2016 friendly against Ireland.

A club debut followed in 2017 during a brief loan spell with the London Skolars, before Tomlinson made his first appearance for the Bulls later that season as the club were relegated from the Championship.

After Bradford fell into the third tier, he left Odsal and signed with the Batley Bulldogs ahead of the 2018 campaign.

Playing a crucial part in helping the Bulldogs avoid relegation from the second tier, he also made history by helping Jamaica qualify for the Rugby League World Cup for the first time.

After the coronavirus pandemic cut short the 2020 season, Tomlinson departed Mount Pleasant and make the short journey to sign with Dewsbury.

He left at the end of last season following their relegation, but did enough in 2022 to be selected by his country for the World Cup in the autumn.