JAMES Feather has been granted his wish to rejoin Cougars after Hunslet agreed to release him from his contract with the South Leeds club.

The long-serving hooker, 30, agreed to join Hunslet and become reunited with ex-Keighley coach Barry Eaton after Cougars went down and the Hawks went up.

But he quickly admitted the move was a mistake and stated his desire to make a swift return to his hometown club.

Hunslet were reluctant to release him at first but Hawks director of rugby Darren Williams said: “We have been having regular dialogue with the RFL, Keighley Cougars and James himself over his request to be released and thankfully we have agreed a compensation package with James himself paying an undisclosed fee to be granted his release.

"We have also agreed to play Keighley in a pre season game ahead of 2016 which will also provide us with some financial recompense.

"It’s been a very disappointing saga in all honesty but at least all parties concerned can now move on from this and put this to bed. James is now expected to rejoin Keighley Cougars in Championship 1 for 2015."