We are delighted to confirm we have signed Irish international Aidan McGowan following the expiry of his contract with fellow Championship side Newcastle Thunder.
McGowan, 23, is a product of the Huddersfield Giants academy system and has already accrued nearly 80 appearances at Super League and Championship level. Whilst he would make his debut for the Giants towards the end of the 2024 season, he made his professional debut at just 19 years old on loan for the York Knights against Bradford Bulls in the summer of 2021. He would go on to make 55 appearances on loan in the Championship across four seasons for York in 2021 (3 appearances, 2 tries), Dewsbury in 2022 (7 appearances, 3 tries), Batley in 2023 (28 appearances, 14 tries) and Bradford Bulls in 2024 (17 appearances, 6 tries).
After making his debut for Huddersfield in July 2024, he would go on to make 10 appearances for the Giants that year and score his first of two Super League tries just three games in a losing effort to rivals Leeds Rhinos. He would go on to retain a place in the Giants squad for the 2025 season, scoring a single try in seven appearances, but this would be mingled with several short-term loan stints at Batley Bulldogs where he would score two tries in six games.
Whilst he would be released by Huddersfield following the conclusion of the 2025 season, it would not take McGowan long to find a new club as a revitalised Newcastle Thunder – recruiting heavily as part of its new partnership with Super League side York Knights – snapped him up ahead of the 2026 Championship season on a short-term contract. He would feature for Newcastle three times, scoring two tries, before deciding not to extend that contract and seek an opportunity elsewhere.
McGowan also has international pedigree, having made three appearances and scored two tries for The Wolfhounds between 2024 and 2025 against Scotland and Wales.
After learning of the news, we spoke with Head Coach Mark Dunning regarding his decision to sign McGowan:
We are delighted to welcome Aiden and his family to the club and the wider Canes family.Aiden is a player we have admired for some time and had been talking to during preseason about joining the club, but as people will know he would go on to sign with Newcastle Thunder on an initial short-term basis. Upon completion of that short term contract with Newcastle, we were contacted by his agent regarding his availability and I’m really pleased that we managed to get a deal agreed.
Aiden is a malleable back, who can comfortably play 1-5 and offers us versatility at a good standard. With his Super league and Championship experience, we’re confident he will add to the group and I’m looking forward to seeing him achieving his aim of enjoying his rugby again in a Canes shirt.
We then spoke with McGowan himself about his decision to sign with the club:
I’m excited to join the Hurricanes. Having spoken with Mark it is clear the lads and staff are great and that it will be a really good group to work with.There are a lot of aims I have that have inspired this move, but first and foremost I want to get back to enjoying my rugby and playing the best I can. If I can do that, I am confident I can help the team finish as high as we can and earn a spot in the playoffs where we can really test ourselves against the best in the division.
We know we cannot look too far ahead and need to focus on each week as it comes, but Mark has made it clear about the expectations the club has and I’m ready to do my bit to be part of a side growing the game in the Midlands.
Aidan will go straight into contention for Mark Dunning’s 21-man squad in respect of this Sunday’s clash with Oldham at Avery Fields. Fans can still save money by clicking HERE to buy advance tickets to Sunday’s game.
