SWINTON LIONS have brought Josh Eaves back to Heywood Road, signing him from their troubled Championship rivals North Wales Crusaders.
And recently-installed coach Anthony Murray is confident the new recruit will help him hoist his charges up the table.
The St Helens-produced hooker spent 2023 and 2024 with the Sale side, making 46 appearances and scoring ten tries when the club were in the old-style second tier.
He came through the Saints Academy to make four first-team appearances, and also had loan stints at Whitehaven, Leigh and Wakefield.
The 2022 campaign was spent with Newcastle, and he had been at North Wales since 2025.
The future of the Crusaders is uncertain amid financial issues, and Eaves, signed with the help of Swinton’s PrideBuilder fans-financed squad support fund, said: “I’m very grateful to be returning.
“I really enjoyed my time here perviously and when I learnt there was interest from Muzza (Murray) and the club, I was excited.
“I’d like to say thank you to the board and also to the PrideBuilder members for their financial input. I’m looking forward to playing in front of those loyal supporters again.”
Murray said: “We are really pleased to have secured the signing of such a vastly-experienced player.
“He brings with him a fantastic attitude and strong work ethic that will be invaluable to the group.
“He’ll play a pivotal role for us, both on and off the field, and will help guide the team moving forward.
“I’m really looking forward to working with him, and it’s great to welcome him back to a club he already knows well from his previous time.”
A spokesperson for the board said: “We trust that all Swinton supporters will be enthused by this signing.”