Cooke completes move

Paul Cooke on Friday completed his controversial cross-city move from Hull FC to Hull KR after the Rugby Football League finally agreed to transfer his registration.

A Hull KR spokesperson confirmed that Cooke would be available for selection for Friday night's match but said the final decision rests with coach Justin Morgan.

The 26-year-old quit Hull on Monday after nine years with the club, claiming that because he never signed his contract that ran out last season he was a free agent.

He signalled his intention to accept a three-and-a-half year deal with Rovers but the move was halted by the League, who ruled he remained contract to the Black and Whites. Now the League say Hull accepted Cooke's resignation and, therefore, cleared him to switch clubs.

However, the League have asked their disciplinary commissioner Norman Sarsfield to investigate allegations of misconduct by both Cooke and Rovers.

In a statement the League said: "On Monday 23rd April 2007, Paul Cooke applied to the RFL for free agency status and to register with Hull Kingston Rovers RLFC.

"Based on evidence provided to the RFL at the time, the RFL considered that Cooke had a binding contract with the Hull FC club that precluded this request.

"Evidence was provided to the RFL that legal advisors on behalf of the Hull FC club had in fact accepted the player's resignation with immediate effect on 23rd April 2007. The evidence was provided by legal representatives of Paul Cooke.

"Based on clear legal advice from the RFL's external lawyers - the RFL has determined there is no valid reason not to accept the registration of Paul Cooke as a player with Hull KR following the acceptance of his resignation by Hull FC.

"Accordingly, Cooke is now able to begin playing for the Hull KR club with immediate effect."