WIDNES Vikings have signed promising outside back Sam Freeman on his first full-time contract with the Club, putting pen-to-paper on a one-year deal.

The highly-rated 19-year old is a product of the Vikings’ academy, impressing at every stage of the Club’s pathway.

Local lad, Freeman, first joined the Club’s scholarship system aged 14, playing his community rugby for Halton Farnworth Hornets whilst attending Sts Peter & Paul School.

Sam also made an appearance for the Vikings in the Club’s Festive Derby against Warrington Wolves at the start of this season, and has been training regularly with the first team squad following his impressive performances for the U19s in 2018.

Freeman said: “I’m over the moon to finally sign a full time deal with Widnes Vikings.

“This contract is what I’ve been working really hard for over the last few years, and to now finally have it is an amazing feeling.

“I’m very proud to be playing for my local club. Everyone around me, including my dad, is a Widnes fan so to get the chance to play here full-time is something I’m really proud of.

“It’s great to see that a lot of Academy lads have got their chance in the first team. It proves to me and anybody else coming through that if you work hard you will get an opportunity to earn your spot in the side.

“My aim now is to try and break into that side and do the best that I can, and help to push the Club forward into better places than we have been for the last few years.”

Grant Gore, Head Coach of the U19s, says, “Sam has been one of the standout players in the academy this year.

“His performances have been consistently very good, and this was recognised when he was invited to move up to train with the first team earlier in the year.

“He has been asked to play a few positions throughout the season and has worked hard to improve as a player. His attitude to training has been first class, he has a great personality and has become one of the leaders in the group. All of the staff have enjoyed watching Sam’s progress this season.

“Sam thoroughly deserves this opportunity and I’m confident if he continues to work as hard as he has this year, he can have a successful career at this club.”

Phil Finney, Head of Youth at Widnes Vikings, says, “Sam has been an integral part of our youth set up for the past five years and has developed brilliantly not only as a player, but as a person.

“He is a very popular personality amongst the players and the staff, and has worked really hard to obtain this opportunity.

“Sam is a very exciting player to watch and being a local lad, he is someone who the fans should be excited about for the future.”