The prop was always seeing out his Hull deal.
Hull FC prop Liam Knight.(Image: SW PIX)
There was never any doubt that Liam Knight wouldn’t return to Hull FC ahead of the 2026 season, at least according to head coach John Cartwright.
Reports emerged from Australia back in September that Knight was seeking a return to the NRL competition in order to be closer to his now fiancée, Danika Mason, who works for the well-known Down Under TV network Channel 9. However, those reports were quickly knocked back.
And now Cartwright has revealed that he was in direct conversation with the prop forward throughout the off-season period, with Knight expressing his motivation to hit the ground running with the Black and Whites once again.
The big minute forward impressed in his first season at Hull, making 20 appearances throughout the campaign before suffering a cruel season-ending foot injury. However, after undergoing his rehab in Sydney, Knight is now back at Hull pre-season training and ready to make a fist of it under a head coach he first worked under at Manly Sea Eagles back in 2016.
Asked about the rumours surrounding Knight, Cartwright said: “I would say they aired probably because his fiancée is based in Australia and she’s got a really good job. I don’t think she’s going to be going anywhere so I’d say that would be the source.
“But I was in contact with him in Australia the whole time. He was only talking about his progression with his injury and how much he was looking forward to getting back.“
Knight originally signed a one-year deal at Hull before agreeing to a second season back in the summer. Of course, his relationship was a key reason for only committing for the 2026 season, with any speculation on his immediate future seemingly a case of putting two and two together and coming up with five.
Speaking on his new deal back in July, Knight said: “I’m stoked to be here. I really like this club, the boys, and the coaching staff, and I’m excited to be on board for another 12 months and see what we can build. I’m just enjoying my time here.
“I’ve got a girlfriend (now fiancée) back home, and she can’t come over. I said to the club, ‘One more year, and then we’ll see where we sit.’ I’m open to possibilities, but I’ve got a relationship back home that means a lot to me.”