Robins land Keating

Hull KR have signed Canterbury Bulldogs half-back Kris Keating as the successor to outgoing captain Michael Dobson.

The 24-year-old Keating will join the Robins in the autumn on a three-year contract.

He will be a straight replacement for the 27-year-old Dobson, who has secured a release in order to return to the NRL with Newcastle Knights.

Robins chief executive Mike Smith, who struck the deal on a recent trip to Sydney, said: "Kris is a very good player and a nice bloke who'll bring a lot to the club, both on and off the field.

"We're delighted that we've managed to secure his signature and I'm sure our supporters will take to him pretty quickly."

Keating, a former Australian schoolboy international, started his career with Parramatta in 2008 and went on to make 41 appearances for the Eels before joining the Bulldogs ahead of the 2011 season.

He has made over 40 appearances in the blue and white of Canterbury during the past three seasons and was in the side that lost to Melbourne Storm in last year's Grand Final.

"It's a new challenge for me and one that I need," Keating said.

"I was just plugging away at the Bulldogs when my manager told me that Hull KR were interested and I've always had a keen interest in the Super League and know quite a few of the boys who are playing over in England.

"They all have nothing but good things to say about the competition and now feels like the right time to come over and test myself in the Super League.

"I've done a fair bit of research on Hull KR and the city itself and am really excited about coming over, as is my fiancee. We just can't wait to get over there and get started."

Keating is Rovers' third major overseas signing for 2014 following the capture of forwards Michael Weyman (St George Illawarra) and Neville Costigan (Newcastle), who will plug the gaps created by the departures of Mickey Paea to Hull FC and Cory Paterson to Wests Tigers.