Leigh Centurions have formally confirmed the signing of much-coveted utility back Liam Kay.
The former Wakefield junior has signed a two-year contract at the club after weeks of speculation.
Kay was believed to be wanted by the Wildcats, last year’s dual-registration club Doncaster, and Championship big guns Featherstone and Halifax at different stages of the close-season.
But he decided instead to join the Centurions, and coach Paul Rowley believes he can have a big impact in 2014.
Rowley said: “We had to work hard to secure Liam’s signature and stave off competition from all our rivals at the top of the Championship, and some from Super League.
“He’s a huge talent and I’m sure he’ll become a popular figure with our great fans.
“When I brought Liam to the attention of our football director Derek Beaumont, Derek shared my enthusiasm about Liam’s talent, and from then on he became the driving force to make sure that Liam would become a Leigh player.”
Beaumont himself added: “Liam has been one of the most hotly pursued players in the Championship, but we persuaded him to have a look at us and got him down to do some training, and I think it is fair to say that as much as we liked him, he liked us.
“But the final piece in the jigsaw in getting him to sign and making the right contract available has been the fact that Leigh Community Trust has been able to offer him a position with them.
“And to that end I cannot thank them enough for their support, because it is obvious that without them we wouldn’t have got Liam to sign.”
Last week also saw Rowley name Stuart Littler and Oliver Wilkes as joint team captains, with Bob Beswick as vice-captain.
Rowley said: “Stuart finished last year as captain and did a fantastic job. He’s a solid leader, and a good representative for the club around town. His main role will be to strategically lead our backs around the field this year.
“I’ve known Oliver for many years, and played alongside him, so I know that he is good captain material. Whilst Stuart will predominantly lead our backs, Oliver will perform the same role with our forwards, as well as representing our players who travel over from Yorkshire.
“Bob Beswick will remain as vice-captain. I didn’t want to burden him too much with the communication side of things, as he’s very much a man of action, who inspires our players by leading from the front.”
Rowley has also confirmed the club’s squad numbers for next season.
Leigh Centurions 2014 squad numbers: 1 Greg McNally, 2 Steve Maden, 3 Stuart Littler, 4 Tom Armstrong, 5 Alex Brown, 6 Martyn Ridyard, 7 Ryan Brierley, 8 Tom Spencer, 9 Bob Beswick, 10 Oliver Wilkes, 11 Matthew Sarsfield, 12 Tommy Goulden, 13 Sam Barlow, 14 Sean Penkywicz, 15 Liam Kay, 16 Martin Aspinwall, 17 Matt Gardner, 18 Jamie Acton, 19 Mick Govin, 20 Andy Thornley, 21 Simon Finnigan, 22 Adam Higson, 23 Jonathan Pownall, 24 Craig Briscoe, 25 Michael Ostick, 26 Ryan Duffy, 27 Anthony Bate, 28 Joe Bullock.
