Huddersfield Giants have splashed out to comple the signing of England Academy prop, Oliver Wilson, for an undisclosed fee understood to be a six-figure number. As part of the deal, Colton Roche will move to the Bulls for his second spell with the club.
Wilson has made two appearances for the Bulls, and featured in the England Academy Test series triumph over Australia Schoolboys at the end of last season.
“I asked our academy staff to identify the best players in the positions that we as a club were looking to strengthen, and Oliver was their stand out pick,” said Giants Managing Director, Richard Thewlis.
“He worked with Luke Robinson in the Yorkshire representative environment, and then of course, was the cornerstone of the England pack that beat the Australian side, in the Academy Test Series at the back end of 2018.
“Andy Kelly has consistently spoken very highly of him and we have monitored his progress for a considerable period, to the point where we felt the time was right now to make the investment in his development, as a homegrown English player who we hope will ultimately become both a Giants Super League regular and a full international.
“His name, we are aware, was at the forefront of a number of leading clubs in the UK and overseas, so the timing of this move was critical. We are happy to back the judgement made to bring him in now, rather than wait until later. The club and its supporters owe a debt of gratitude to a number of individuals who I have spoken to in confidence, regarding this matter, and also to our chairman, Ken Davy who made the funds available for this move to occur with immediate effect.
“Oliver knows his path to the top will be a tough one but, as we have shown, we are putting our faith as a club in the younger side of our squad, and whilst Oliver will certainly bolster our academy side this year, he should also have the goal of a Super League debut to strive for.“
