Whitehaven’s Australian centre Will Evans will be playing for Widnes Vikings in the Championship next season.
The Cumbrian club had announced that Evans had decided not to stay at the LEL Arena and the Vikings have now confirmed he has signed for John Kear’s side.
In his one season with Jonty Gorley’s team Evans made 26 appearances for the club scoring 8 tries and hitting form towards the end of the campaign.
That was enough to earn him the young player of the year award at the club’s end of season awards night.
Evans, who is primarily a centre but can also fill in at full-back or on the wing, made his Wales debut in their mid-season international test against France, and is part of John Kear’s 24-man squad for the Rugby League World Cup.
Growing up in Australia he spent time in the development systems of both Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans.
He also captained Queensland at Under 16s level earlier in his career, and has featured for Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup.
Following the World Cup, Evans, who qualifies for Wales through his father, will link up with the Vikings ahead of the 2023 Betfred Championship season.
He says: “It took me a little bit of time to find my feet in the UK, with the lifestyle and the playing style.
“I finished the year really strong, and hopefully I can continue that into the World Cup with John [Kear] and start pre-season really strongly with the same kind of momentum.
“I delved into the history of the club, the richness and the culture. I really wanted to buy into that and put myself into a position where I can play my best footy, and I think that Widnes is going to be able to provide that for me.”
