Andy Lynch has admitted he always wanted to come back to Castleford as he prepares to begin his second spell with the Super League club.
Prop Lynch started his career with the Tigers, making his first-team debut bow in 1999 before leaving after they suffered relegation from the top flight five years later.
He went on to join Bradford Bulls before then heading to Hull. However, the 34-year-old always wanted to returned to his roots, and signed a two-year deal to be part of Daryl Powell's overhauled squad at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.
"I'm glad to be back," Lynch told Sky Sports. "There's no better feeling than playing in front of fans like these. "I have tried for a long time to get back to Cas. Danny (Orr, assistant coach at the Tigers) had a big influence on me coming back here. The opportunity came around and I just had to take it, really.
"It's had a couple of licks of paint since I left. They (the club) are working really hard to put things right. Some new windows are going in and there are some new signs going up, so they are doing loads of stuff and improvements are being made at the moment.
"Hull was great because the stadium is fantastic, but the thing with Castleford is the fans are that close it creates an atmosphere, especially when the likes of Leeds and the other big teams come here and there are 10 or 12,000 inside.
"Then it's an electric atmosphere. It's hostile - I know that from coming back here with Hull last year, even thought I'd played here when I was younger. "We know we've got to do a job, week-in, week-out to make sure those fans keep coming back to support us."
Lynch will add some experience to the Castleford pack as they attempt to make the play-offs for the first time since 2009.
Powell has also strengthened in his options in the backline, including signing halves Luke Dorn - who will also be in his second spell with the Tigers - Mark Sneyd, Brett Seymour and Liam Finn in a bid to fill the void left by Rangi Chase's departure to Salford.
"Daryl's built a really good squad. We are learning every day, and I think when that stops happening then it's time to pack in," the Leeds-born forward said.
"We now need to take what we have been learning into games. We can't be looking too high; we've just got to take it a week at a time. "We need to get a high intensity and a consistency, if we do that then we will do well this year."
As for his own future, Lynch was quick to dismiss the idea of retirement once his current deal has expired, stating: "I've got no intention of that. My body feels great at the moment. I feel fit enough. I will play until I can't feel I can do it any more."
