Leigh Centurions have announced that Martin Aspinwall has agreed to extend his career with the club and has signed a one-year full-time contract that will commence on December 1, 2014.
Aspinwall, 32, has made a successful transition from the three-quarters to the front-row and has a wealth of top flight and international experience. After beginning his career with home town club Wigan, graduating through their scholarship scheme, he made his first-team debut in 2001 and went on to make 109 appearances, scoring 33 tries for the Warriors. He was a member of the Wigan side defeated by Bradford Bulls in the 2003 Super League grand final.
He moved to Huddersfield in 2006 and in five seasons with the Giants scored 29 tries in 95 games and was a member of the side defeated by St Helens in the 2006 Challenge Cup final. He was also selected for the Great Britain squad that competed in the 2006 Tri-Series down under to add to earlier representative honours for Lancashire, Super League under-21s and England A.
After spells at Castleford Tigers and Hull FC he joined Leigh in 2012 and has made a total of 275 career appearances, scoring 68 tries, including 51 tries in 223 Super League games.
Leigh Centurions Head of Rugby Derek Beaumont said: “It’s pleasing to be able to add Martin to the full-time squad for next season. He has been unfortunate since he joined us with injuries, meaning he has been unable to string any decent run together to prove his form.
“He has finally got a few games together of late and demonstrated in those that he still has a lot to offer to the Club and it was pleasing to see him get his first try on the board at Doncaster. He is a solid player and a really likeable lad. His invaluable experience of being in a full-time environment will be a great benefit to us in this transitional year into full-time.”
Leigh Centurions Head Coach Paul Rowley said: “Martin has been at our Club for a couple of seasons but every time he has hit form he has then got injured. Recently he has had a good run of games and form.
“It is very pleasing to add someone of Martin’s experience to the full-time squad for next season. It helps give a strong feel to the squad and applies even more pressure to the fantastic group of players we have in our middle unit. Martin is low maintenance and I am delighted to have him around for at least another year.”
