WIDNES Vikings have signed Wales international Rhodri Lloyd on a season long loan from Wigan Warriors.

The 20-year-old, who starred for Wales in the recent Rugby League World Cup, joins the Vikings pre-season training immediately.

Lloyd, a second row or centre, spent much of the 2013 season playing under dual registration with both Leigh Centurions and South Wales Scorpions and towards the end of the season had time on loan with London Broncos.

The Caerphilly born man says he’s excited to be joining the Vikings for the new Super League season.

He said: "It's a big opportunity for me. I'm joining a great club with a great history. I'm keen to play more games and coming to Widnes may allow me to do that.

"I'm going to work hard in the pre-season and hopefully Denis Betts will see my qualities and give me the opportunity I'm craving. I'm really excited by the move and I really think we can have a very good season."

Widnes Assistant Coach Mick Cassidy says Lloyd is a player the Vikings have been monitoring for a long time and are pleased to have got their man.

He said: “Rhodri is a player we have looked at for a while and we think he fits in well with what we are trying to achieve here at Widnes Vikings.

"He can play centre but can also give us cover in the back row. He gives us plenty of strength and we are expecting big things from him.

"Denis and I watched him play for Wales in the Rugby League World Cup and we were very impressed.

"He needs to play week in week out and hopefully we can give him that opportunity. We are looking forward to working with him and developing his talent.

"We'd also like to thank the Wigan club and Shaun Wane for allowing him to join us. We have a great relationship with Wigan Warriors and this is another example of that."