KEIGHLEY Albion are continuing their strong open age recruitment drive ahead of the 2021 season.

They are now close to having 50 players registered to play for their first and second teams.

And they have announced some of their 2021 signings this week, in Hafa Karim, Jak Adams, Cal Hudson, Owen Palmer, Jacob Cox, John Gibson, Sam Booker and Connor Taylor.

Dynamite Karim is an exceptional talent, and his elusiveness and attacking prowess is enough to unlock the tightest of defences.

His lightning footwork and offensive trickery has seen him excel in the tag rugby version of the sport, where he is one of the world's best players - representing Great Britain at the Tag World Cup in Australia in 2018.

Karim is just as dangerous in contact rugby, where he has previously starred for Bradford & Bingley at union, and Worth Village at league.

Enforcers Gibson and Booker have signed on from Keighley RUFC to add significant size and power to the Albion pack.

Gibson is no stranger to the Albion club, having previously been a youth player before emigrating to South Africa at 19 years old to play rugby, initially representing DHS Old Boys in Durban, before moving on to Northwood Crusaders, playing first XV rugby in the Durban Premier Division.

He moved back to the UK in 2018, joining Keighley RUFC, where he won the first XV's most improved player of 2020 award for his strong performances.

Booker is a barnstorming prop forward who doesn’t take a backwards step, and will add significant strengthen in the middle of the park with his ruthless defence.

With his aggressive style, he will be a fans favourite in 2021, punching holes in opposition defences and providing the platform for the Albion halves.

Joining that pair in the pack is ball-playing forward Adams, who has previously been affiliated to the reputable scholarship programmes of Huddersfield Giants and Bradford Bulls, before being one of the stand out players for Keighley Cougars' reserves side.

The powerhouse has a phenomenal work-rate, and is versatile enough to feature in the front or back row.

Taylor and Cox are exciting acquisitions, with both bringing their experiences of playing reserve grade rugby league.

They provide numerous offensive options to Dean Buckler’s squad - with their attacking flair, evasion skills and turn of pace likely to see the pair cross the whitewash numerous times for Albion this season.

Taylor is a highly talented rugby league player who was previously a key member of Keighley Cougars' reserves side for a number of years.

He often features in the outside backs in the centre/wing positions, where his devastating kick returns and lethal finishing make him a major threat to opposition sides.

Livewire utility back Cox also has the experience of being associated to professional sides, having previously represented Featherstone Rovers' academy.

His excellent game knowledge and awareness allows him to be as much at home in the halves as in the back-line, and he is devastating when taking on a broken defence.

Hudson is one of the best homegrown players outside the professional game that Keighley community rugby league has produced in the past couple of decades.

He represented Keighley Cougars' academy for four years, as well as Yorkshire RL on numerous occasions.

But unquestionably the highlight of his playing career was his selection for the England Community Lions U18 squad in 2009, as they hosted the Australian Institute of Sport - playing alongside current Super League stars Brad Dwyer (Leeds Rhinos) and Joe Bullock (Wigan Warriors).

In opposition back then was future NRL Grand Final winner Kyle Feldt (North Queensland Cowboys).

Club captain Palmer has also renewed his service to the club, with his leadership and experience undoubtedly key to a competitive Albion side next season.

His knowledge and awareness often sees him controlling and dictating the pace of the game, directing the side around the park.

The club's open age set-up will benefit from a strengthened affiliation to the Keighley Cougars, with their coaching team to take an active role in club training sessions.

There will also be an exclusive gym partnership with Keighley-based Workouts Health Club - under the guidance of Batley Bulldogs' strength and conditioner Paul Royston.

Both initiatives will suit the development of ambitious young players, enhancing opportunities to reach higher levels of the sport.

The club still has a considerable number of signings to be announced in the coming weeks, and with the confirmation that Albion will run a second team in 2021, the club are welcoming players of all abilities to register for the upcoming campaign.

For more details, please message the club's Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/keighleyalbion/

Or to register directly, you can use the following link: http://bit.ly/Openagereg