WIDNES Vikings have signed 22-year-old prop forward Sam Brooks on a two year deal.

The 6ft 2 former Wigan St Pats junior made his debut for Scotland against France in the European Championships in November 2015 having moved from Rochdale Hornets to Whitehaven the same year.

Brooks has impressed during recent training with the Vikings squad and the Club moved quickly to reward him with a two-year professional contract for the 2016/2017 seasons.

The prop said: “It’s an exciting opportunity to go full time with a professional Super League outfit with a long historical pedigree in the game.

"I look forward to settling into the side and developing myself as a person and player at the club."

Head coach Denis Betts added: “We have added Sam to our squad to strengthen it.

"Sam has a great desire to be a full time rugby player, this shone through in training sessions that he took part in.

"We were willing to offer an opportunity and further our relationship with Whitehaven.

"From the information we acquired on Sam we believe there is potential for Sam to become a Super League front rower. We’d like to thank Whitehaven for developing Sam’s talent over the last season."

Brooks will play in the Karalius Cup game at St Helens on Sunday.

As part of his deal he will continue to play up with the Cumbrians if not selected in the Vikings squad for matchday.

James Rule Vikings CEO commented: “We enjoy a fantastic partnership with Whitehaven which we will continue to develop via our dual registration agreement in 2016. I would like to thank all involved at Whitehaven for giving Sam a chance at his dream of playing Super League and wishing him well in the future.”

A Whitehaven spokesperson added: “We would not stand in the way of a player having a chance at Super League and furthering his career, especially as Widnes will dual register him alongside the rest of their squad providing him the opportunity to play for us during the 2016 Season”.