WIDNES Vikings have signed Paul Clough from St Helens on a season long loan.

The prop forward makes the move immediately to link up with Denis Betts’ squad ahead of the Vikings’ next First Utility Super League clash with Huddersfield Giants at the Select Security Stadium on Friday, 28 February.

The 26-year-old has appeared 189 times for Saints since making his debut against Hull FC in 2005.

But with the new signings of Mose Masoe and Kyle Amor as well as the emergence of Alex Walmsley and several other young props, it was clear chances for first team action would be limited this season.

Vikings Head Coach Denis Betts said Clough is a player who he’s monitored for a while and is looking forward to working with him.

He said: “We are always looking to enhance our squad and make it more competitive and my job is to develop players and make the team better. What we have recruited in Paul is a tried and tested front rower who has played in Grand Finals and Challenge Cup Finals for St Helens and he will give us a real boost.

“Saints have a really big squad and we are a little skinny and bringing in Paul will help us in that area. He’s a player with a very good work ethic and he’ll fight hard for a place here and he’s available for selection next week.”

Saints Head Coach Nathan Brown added: “Cloughie is at a stage in his career where he needs to be playing regularly, “With the competition in the squad the most intense it has been for a long time we couldn’t guarantee that.

“It made sense for both the club and the player for Paul to go on loan and we will be keeping a close eye on how he does at Widnes.”