KEIGHLEY Cougars have announced that Kieran Moran has agreed a new deal with the club.

The Scotland international forward has put pen to paper on a one-year contract until the end of the 2022 season.

A product of the academy system at Hull KR, Moran first arrived at Cougar Park midway through the 2018 season following his departure from Championship outfit Sheffield Eagles.

Making an immediate impact on a memorable debut against Oldham, a Friday night game Cougars won despite being ravaged by injuries, suspensions and money troubles, he would make a total of 14 appearances during his first eighteen months in Keighley colours.

Heading into the 2020 season, Moran found first team opportunities limited and featured for both Castleford Tigers reserves on dual-registration and Coventry Bears on loan before the pandemic brought a premature end to the season.

Able to play both at prop and loose forward, he used the lockdown period to get back into the shape that saw him play in Super League and in the process earn a new deal with the Cougars.

Moran continued to impress head coach Rhys Lovegrove during pre-season and he broke back into the fold at Cougar Park.

Making 11 appearances in 2021, scoring a sole try in the 40-0 win over Hunslet in May, his performances for the Cougars earned a return to the international stage, as he featured in Scotland’s draw with Jamaica at the conclusion of the year.

And despite being born and bred in Hull, Moran has found a home away from home in Keighley as he commits his immediate future once more to the club.

“I’m really happy to be staying with the club,” admitted Moran.

“It will be my fifth season now at the Cougars and I feel at home here and love what the club is about.

“The fans we have at Keighley are amazing.

“They’re loud and proud, and we’ve got the best fans in League 1 without a doubt.

“Hopefully they stick with us again this year and we can get them into the Championship which is more than what they deserve for their support.

“Recruitment has been positive this year, there’s been some quality added but also some really good younger guys added into the squad which will be good to see how they develop.

“You only have to see how the likes of Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e and Josh Slingsby have benefitted from being in our system.

“It has been really important that most of the squad has stayed together, and we know we’re not far off. We have been ultimately two kicks away from promotion.

“My goals for the year are simple, I’ve just turned 25 so feel my best years are on to me now, so I just want to come back firing and play every game consistently well and help towards getting us promoted.

“Also, it is a World Cup year, so I’ve obviously got my eye on that Scotland squad at the end of the season, and I need to do my best for the Cougars to be in with a shot.”