Whitehaven have persisted and finally been rewarded with the signature of Australian half-back Alex Bishop on a 12-month deal.
The 27-year-old Bishop has been a target for Haven for the last two years and has played for a number of clubs Down Under including the Redcliffe Dolphins and North Devils.
Head coach Jonty Gorley is particularly pleased that Whitehaven have finally managed to capture a player who is equally effective at hooker.
He said: “We’ve tried for two years to get his signature and finally we have it.
Signing someone like Alex adds quality to the squad and gives us different options for team selection.
“It’s great to have a player of Alex’s pedigree coming to Whitehaven. He’s played over 100 games in the Intrust Cup and to do that you must be a decent player.
“During that time he has played for the Broncos and Storm feeder teams playing alongside numerous NRL players.
“Alex will bring this experience and that will be a massive boost for us with him playing in the halves. He can also cover hooker equally as good.”
Speaking about making the switch to England, Bishop said: “I’m grateful for the opportunity the club has given me and look forward to getting over there, meeting everyone and playing some good footy.”
Whitehaven director Ashley Kilpatrick said: “I’m delighted to finally get Alex over the line as he’s a half back we have been chasing for a long time./
“We looked at bringing him over for this season but due to his work back in Oz it wasn’t viable. To finally get him over the line and have him coming here next year is brilliant news for us.
“He is a vastly experienced half back in the Queensland Cup and has played for some very good teams in that competition.
“I’ve been speaking to Alex for the last 12-18 months about coming here. He is a great lad to speak to, down to earth and I believe he will fit in well. He is friends with former Haven coach Don Gailer who has sold the area to him.
“Again I have to say a huge thanks to Des Byrne and the Vice Presidents for stepping-up and helping the club with his flights.
“I can’t stress enough to our fans to sign up with the VP’s group as they make our jobs with the recruitment side of the club easier doing things like this for us.”
