Tex Hoy hopes to return to NRL

Hoy will leave Newcastle at the end of the season to take up a two-year deal with Hull FC, with the English club also holding an option for a third year.

Considered one of Newcastle's rising stars when he debuted as a 21-year-old, Hoy has spent the past three seasons stuck behind Kalyn Ponga at the Knights.

He made the call to move to England based on the desire to lock in more regular first-grade football after also coming off the bench in seven of his 25 NRL games.

But at age 22, there remains part of Hoy that is hopeful this is not the end of his NRL career.

"Probably in the back of your mind (you think about that)," he said.

"I am only young. By the time two years are up, I'm 25 and that is when you start hitting your prime years.

"You never know what happens as well. Player moves might happen back here.

"But I am not really focused on that, I am focused on going to Hull and putting my best foot forward."

Hoy also need look no further than his own assistant coach in Green for the advantages of playing overseas.

The ex-playmaker left Australia at age 23 to spend four seasons abroad, before returning as a five-eighth at Melbourne and later having notable impacts at Manly and the Warriors.

"I spoke to Greeny just before it all came out, got his thoughts on it," Hoy said.

"He was the perfect example of that. He was 23 or 24, went over, won Man of Steel, came back, killed it over here.

"He was like a veteran (coming back). He had heaps of experience.

"That is pretty much my main reason. I am going to get to play some footy over there every week.

"The other thing was just getting myself our of my comfort zone. I have grown up in Newcastle my whole life."

Hoy will likely play out this season at fullback for the Knights in the injury-enforced absence of Ponga, and impressed with a try and five tackle busts in Sunday's 14-10 win over Wests Tigers.

He then expects to play either at the back or in the halves for Hull F.C next season.

Australian Associated Press