Huddersfield Giants said they will continue to monitor the progress of their former youngster Tyllar Mellor after he signed for Workington Town this week.

Giants managing director Richard Thewlis praised Mellor and said that he was still very highly regarded at the Super League outfit.

And as a sign of their admiration, they have invited the 19-year-old to join them for some pre-season training, with the Giants returning back to their base slightly earlier than Workington.

Thewlis said the only reason they let Mellor leave was the fact that they had other players in his position at the club.

“Tyllar made a brave step last year in leaving a successful academy side to put himself in the professional shop window with Workington finishing the season there, as opposed to staying with his established teammates and friends as they hit their run in to their season’s finale,” said Thewlis.

“We, as a club, didn’t go forward with him simply because of what we have in his position already contracted, so to hear that Workington have taken him on for 2019 is tremendous news.”

Thewlis said Mellor’s determination would be a key factor in his success and he was looking forward to seeing the next step of his progression when the two sides meet in January for a pre-season friendly at Derwent Park.

He added: “Not all of our academy lads become professionals and the road is a difficult one so its been greeted well here that Tyllar is now a Workington player.

“It’s a mark of his determination to succeed that he has turned up here to train on day one with our Super League squad, where he is very welcome indeed.

“We will be watching his progress very closely and non more so than when we visit in pre season.”

The Super League outfit are due to head to Derwent Park on January 20.

Town were quick to offer a deal to full-back/winger Mellor earlier this week, after he impressed when spending the back end of the year on loan at Derwent Park from Huddersfield, with some eye-catching displays.

Mellor said it was an easy decision for him to return to Workington, this time on a permanent deal, and hopes he can help the side move forward in 2019.