Jason Demetriou was named in the Super League Dream Team in 2007

Keighley have named former Wakefield captain Jason Demetriou as their new player-head coach on a two-year deal, just three weeks after he joined York.

The 34-year-old Australian, who takes over from Barry Eaton, had agreed a one-year deal with York City Knights.

But he has now performed an about-turn after being given the opportunity to secure his first coaching role.

And York are now waiting to hear from Keighley over compensation, which they expect to run to a five-figure sum.

"It was something we knew about when he came to us," Knights coach Dave Woods told BBC Radio York. "It was a move they expected to happen.

"We said we wouldn't stand in his way and we'd do that with all our players, to be fair.

"If they get something that's going to help them progress and move forward we wouldn't stand in their way.

"He hasn't done anything with us as a squad. He's been down to a couple of sessions but he hasn't been able to train because of his operation that he had. So we sort of don't really know exactly what he was bringing us anyway.

"The experience he would have had would have helped us but we haven't really lost anything."

606: DEBATE How do you think he will fare in Championship One?

York actually swapped places with Keighley at the end of last season when they were promoted via the Championship One play-offs.

But, after the Cougars' relegation from the Championship, followed by Eaton's departure to become assistant coach, Demetriou's appointment has left Keighley chairman Gary Fawcett feeling confident.

"I think we can challenge the top of the Championship in 2012," Fawcett told the club website.

"Jason will work with Glenn Barraclough and Matt Bramald to ensure we achieve automatic promotion to the Championship next season.

"To assist Jason, Matt has been moved to assistant coach alongside Glenn for the first team and retains his reserve team responsibilities.

"As rugby league fans will know, Jason had captained Wakefield Wildcats for seven years.

"And we feel that he will bring significant capability to the club to successfully build on the foundations that are in place."

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