WIDNES Vikings have signed 24-year old Welsh international Gil Dudson from Wigan Warriors on a two-year deal.

The 110kg prop forward will start training with the club this week.

Denis Betts is delighted to have secured Dudson and said: “The signing shows a real ambition about what we are trying to do at the Vikings.

"We don’t pick up players without doing our homework. We’ve been talking about Gil for a number of months and he’s a player we have had to be a little bit patient with.

"We spoke at the end of last year about the need for a bit more size in our team. Bringing Manase Manuokafoa in showed we were looking for big men.

"It’s great that we have been able to get Gil to join us. Signing Gil shows our drive and ambition to make this squad stronger with the right kind of people.

"He is big, he’s strong, he’s got international pedigree, and I think he is young enough to really make a massive mark in the game over the next few years. As a Club we are ambitious and we think Gil is the right fit to move forward with us as a team.

"Gil is highly regarded by his peers, so it will be nice to see how he settles in over the next few weeks, and hopefully he will sail through a massive year in 2015.”

James Rule, Vikings chief executive, added: “Denis has some ambitious plans for the team this year and Gil’s abilities fit nicely into those plans.”

The financial contribution offered by the Vikings Quid’s In scheme (VIQI) was an integral part in making this signing possible.

Having already provided a significant sum of money to secure Manase Manuokafoa for the 2015 season, the VIQI scheme has agreed to support the club for a second time ahead of Super League XX.

Jason Shaw from VIQI commented: “The 2015 Super League season is probably the most important season since our return to Super League. With the inception of the new league structure it is crucial that we aim to build momentum and improve on last year’s 8th place finish. With this in mind we want to help the Club however we can and we are delighted to have been able to offer financial support to secure Gil Dudson.

"This year the Club is probably in a better position than ever before however if we are to continue the great work done to date we must all pull together to help drive our continuous development as a Club whilst ensuring our Super League position remains intact as we move forward.

"The VIQI scheme has now raised in excess of £150,000 and is deemed one of the longest serving sponsors of the Widnes Vikings. The fans in the scheme deserve recognition for the part they have played in so many influential signings over the years.”