For the first time since the 2011 season, Hull FC will have a new name on the back of their number nine shirt, with Amir Bourouh, signed from fellow Super League club Salford Red Devils on a three-year deal, taking the mantel from the 2025 season and beyond.

Driven to make his stay at the Black and Whites a successful one, Bourouh is determined to make his own mark as his own player, but there is also a respect for what came before. Paying tribute to club legend Danny Houghton, the 23-year-old knows what he needs to be, with the young hooker setting his goals on both sides of the ball.

But above all else, Bourouh wants to be an effort player, with Houghton building his career on such traits and being the player his teammates wanted to line up with. That’s the sort of pride that now sits in the Halifax-born talent, who wants to fill the hole left by the veteran hooker.

READ MORE: Mikey Lewis goes into bat for Challenge Cup amateurs as revamp causes debate

READ MORE: Hull KR half-back Danny Richardson secures loan move to Super League rival

"I've got the shirt, but it doesn't mean much if I'm not going to be performing up to it," Bourouh, speaking exclusively to Hull Live, said. "Obviously, Danny had that shirt for over 12 years. It's a massive honour and privilege to be given it.

"I think a lot of stuff Danny did in a game; I want to be that. There's going to be a big piece of the puzzle missing with him retiring, so hopefully I can just fit in there and do all the dirty, hard stuff that he did and have a good impact on the team.

"I like to think I'm an effort-based player, but I want to take good control of the team going forward. It's just a real privilege to be here, and I'm honoured to be part of such a big club. I felt like it was a big opportunity for me at a club that has been through a bit of a tough patch; it's made major changes, but it's got that history of winning big games.

"It's also a town where the supporters jump straight on the back of good performances and who want the club to do well. It felt like everything that was muted in the background when I was signing, it all gave me plenty of positive reasons towards coming here.

"Everyone said before I got here that Hull is a massive town for rugby. It's pretty similar to Halifax, where I'm from; we haven't got a topflight team right now, but if we did, it'd be the exact same feel around the place as Hull. Everyone loves it, and everyone is mad for it. It's crazy."

Completing seven weeks of pre-season training, Hull, looking to right the wrongs of last season, have now broken off for their Christmas break before returning in the New Year. Meanwhile, Bourouh has been content with what he’s seen so far under a new head coach in John Cartwright.

"People will talk about last year, and that's fine as long as within those four walls at training we know what we can achieve," Bourouh continued. "That's all that matters. We've got a good set of lads, and we're working to trust each other, and come the start of the season, we'll be raring to go and ready to compete.

“Carty has been great. He commands a lot of respect. He's a big bloke, but he's a good bloke. He's approachable, and he's pretty hands-on and vocal, and we all know what he expects from us, which is great. He made that clear from day one.

"I feel like he will get the best out of the group that we've got. He demands a lot out of us, and there won't be a grey area from what he expects from us. We all know what our roles are, and we're working hard on them."

And as for competition, Bourouh is in his element. Training with the likes of Cade Cust and Denive Balmforth, Hull have options at dummy-half, something the young nine believes will only help bring each other on.

"Having competition is perfect," Bourouh added. "It only makes you get better. There's another young lad in Will Hutchinson as well who is chomping at the bit to be playing. There's a good 3/4 people there who are wanting to play, so it keeps you on your toes. We know that we have to push each other, perform in each and every game, and strive to get better every day."

Click here - Get the latest news on our Rugby League Live WhatsApp channel