Leigh Centurions will announce a raft of signings today as their squad for 2020 takes shape.
The Championship club have kept signings under wraps, but have a big unveil planned today.
We’ll keep this article updated throughout the day.
STAYING: Andy Thornley
The final announcement of the day saw the club confirm the retention of Andy, brother of fellow Leyther, Iain.
STAYING: Jordan Thompson
He returned to the club midway through last season after half a year at Hull FC. Now, he’s back for another full year.
SIGNED: Matty Wildie
The first man linked with a move to Leigh for 2020 has now been confirmed.
Matty Wildie joins the club from Bradford after impressing in the Championship with the Bulls.
“I’m really looking forward to joining Leigh Centurions and working with John Duffy again,” he said.
“John is a coach I’ve worked with at Featherstone and I’m looking forward to playing to his style of rugby again.”
STAYING: Liam Forsyth
The 23-year-old joined the club midway through last season from Wigan and scored ten tries in as many games.
“Everyone is keen to pick up the pieces of last season because we were all so disappointed with how things finished,” he said.
“We have a good bunch at the club and there’s a real desire to be better next season. The Championship seems to get better every season and it’s up to us to rise to that challenge and push for promotion.
SIGNED: Nick Glohe
The latest signing is that of Glohe, a back-rower who played for Scotland as they qualified for the World Cup.
He joins from Newcastle Rugby League outfit, Lakes United.
“I’m very much looking forward to playing for a club with such a proud history and great loyal supporters,” he said.
“Pre-season in the winter is something foreign to me and I have no doubts it will be a tough one but I’m keen to get stuck in with the lads and set ourselves up for strong season.”
SIGNED: Callum Field
Utility Field has joined the club following a spell in Wigan’s famous academy.
Adept at playing back-row, prop or centre, Field said: “Leigh are a top end Betfred Championship club and I am excited to be joining them ahead of what is going to be a big season.
“I have played against Leigh before and know they are always a tough team to beat and I’m looking forward to being part of the squad coach John Duffy is assembling.”
STAYING: Brad Holroyd
The young utility back found his opportunities limited last year, but will push for more action next year.
“Brad was something of a project for us last season,” John Duffy said.
“He was unlucky because we couldn’t give him much game time during the season so we sent him over to Saints Academy and he really flourished there.
“He scored some fantastic tries for Saints and played in their Grand Final. We really wanted to keep him at the club and see massive potential in him.”
SIGNED: Ryan Ince
Winger Ince has joined the club after leaving Widnes last year.
He scored 19 games in 22 appearances last season before leaving the Vikings after not being selected for their 1895 Cup Final at Wembley.
“The Betfred Championship is a tough competition and the standard is improving every year,” he said.
“I’m hoping to play as many games as possible and stay injury free.”
SIGNED: Nathan Mason
Former Leyther Mason joins the club after a year in Super League with recently relegated London.
He was at the club in 2018, scoring six tries in 22 appearances following their relegation from Super League.
“It’s good to be back and see some old faces,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to getting back at it because I really enjoyed my time here when I was on loan from Huddersfield.”
STAYING: Adam Higson, Junior Sa’u & Ben Reynolds
No surprises here, all three were thought to be signed up for next season anyway.
STAYING: Sam Brooks
After joining the club last year, former Featherstone forward Sam Brooks is back again.
He made 23 appearances last season.
“I’m really excited to have re-signed with Leigh Centurions,” he said.
“I think last year was a massively positive one for the club and I can’t wait to be part of it again next season.”
STAYING: Tom Spencer
The prop made 20 appearances last season and will go round again next year.
“I’m very happy to be signing again after a rollercoaster year back at Leigh,” Spencer said.
“We started from an uncertain position but we showed real promise at times.”
STAYING: Liam Hood
A mid-season recruit from Widnes last year, Hood will be with Leigh again next year having previously played for them in Super League.
“I am absolutely buzzing to be staying at Leigh,” he said.
“It is the club where I have felt most at home during my career and I’d be happy to see out my career here.”
SIGNED: Ben Hellewell
The Scotland international joins the club from London following their relegation from Super League.
He made three appearances for the Broncos last year and played on dual-reg terms for Sheffield.
“I love working with John – he’s a good coach and a good people person,” Hellewell said of head coach John Duffy, who he has worked alongside in the Scotland setup.
“I know from being involved at Scotland that he’s all about the lads and a good man manager.”
STAYING: Iain Thornley
The club’s Player of the Year in 2019 returns after scoring 16 tries in 32 appearances last season after joining the club from Catalans.
“It was a good year for me and the team last year given where we started from though it wasn’t the end we wanted,” he said.
“I am very happy at Leigh Centurions and we will all be trying to improve on what we achieved in 2020. The Betfred Championship is going to be another really competitive league next season and I am already looking forward to it.”
SIGNED: Danny Addy
The club started the day with the announcement that Danny Addy had joined the club from Hull Kingston Rovers.
Addy, 28, has spent the majority of his career in Super League and will link up with his Scotland coach, John Duffy, at LSV.
“I can’t wait to pull on the Leigh shirt and get started,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to a big preseason and want to hit the ground running.
“I’ve worked with John (Duffy) at Scotland and have played against his teams and know what a good coach he is. It’s nice when someone like John has so much confidence in you and I’m looking forward to joining a good set of players who are looking for a big year.”
