Hull FC have failed in a bid to sign England international Rangi Chase for the rest of the season but say he remains in their sights for 2013.

The Black and Whites needed to complete a deal for the reigning Stobart Super League Man of Steel by 2pm today to beat the signing deadline but say they have been thwarted by red tape.

Hull owner Adam Pearson, speaking at a press conference held at the KC Stadium, confirmed Hull’s interest in the New Zealand-born half-back and said the club would continue their attempts to sign him ahead of next season.

“I’m massively disappointed not to sign Rangi ahead of this afternoon’s deadline,” Pearson said.

“We’ve put a lot of effort in over the last 10 days to get him and he was really keen to come here.

“The deal was all set up and he was obviously going to be a very expensive player but one I thought would put bums on seats, give us a bit of creativity and put a spark back into the club.

“Unfortunately, visa legislation has changed during the past week or so and this has scuppered the deal for now but Rangi is still very much on the radar.

“We’ll just keep trying. We are the club trying to overcome the hurdles the UK Border Agency has put in front of us and we have a team of excellent lawyers in London working on this on the club’s behalf.”

Hull had wanted to complete the deal in time to play Chase in Monday’s derby at Hull KR.

The clubs are thought to have agreed a transfer fee below Castleford Tigers’ initial valuation of £350,000 for the 26-year-old, who has not played for the Tigers since being suspended on June 26 for missing training and breaking an alcohol curfew.

Chase subsequently apologised for his behaviour and Castleford, who lifted the ban last week after imposing unspecified sanctions, have selected him for Sunday’s home game against Warrington Wolves.

“Our coaching staff are happy with how he has trained with the team this week,” said Tigers chief executive Richard Wright.

Chase, a former Maori international who switched his allegiance to England after deciding to settle in this country, is under contract to Castleford until the end of 2015 after signing an extension last September.

But he is thought to have become unsettled since then and had been linked with moves to Wigan Warriors, Huddersfield Giants and Warrington before Hull made him a target.