Anthony Gelling admits the vision of Widnes CEO James Rule helped convince him to return to Super League with the Vikings in 2019.
League Express revealed several weeks ago that Widnes had tabled Gelling an offer to sign for the club next year, and the Vikings were confident they could see off interest from Catalans to land his services.
And after Gelling agreed a two-year deal with Widnes, he admits his own personal conversations with Rule were the catalyst in returning to Super League with the club.
He said: “He has spoken to me a lot about the big plans that the club has in place for the coming years and the potential here. It has made me really excited to be a part of the Vikings for the next couple of years.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge to be honest. The club has real potential and has appealed to me, as a whole. The Vikings are feeling a little bruised at the moment, but that will change. I want to come in next year and help to make a huge difference.
“We want to give the fans some entertaining rugby league and offer them something to look forward to when they turn up every week. I’m looking forward to wearing black and white next year!
“Looking at the guys who are already at the Vikings, along with those that have re-signed for the seasons ahead, I’m excited about this next chapter of my career.”
Furthermore, League Express also understands that no severance is in Gelling’s contract should Widnes be relegated from Super League.
The Vikings are reportedly keen to have Gelling as a marquee name in their squad irrespective of what division they are playing in next season and, as such, no contingency has been put in place for a break clause should the Vikings fall out of the top flight this year.