3:43pm Friday 20th January 2012
CAMERON Phelps has today become the Vikings’ 15th new recruit ahead of their much anticipated return to Super League in February, having put pen to paper on a two-year contract, which is subject to receiving the necessary visa.
The 26-year-old Australian centre who can also play on the wing and at full back will wear squad number 19 in Denis Betts’ 2012 first team squad A former Australia U19s player, Cameron rose through the junior ranks at Canterbury and made his senior debut in 2005, going on to make 39 first grade appearances for the Bulldogs, scoring 12 tries in the process.
A move to Wigan followed in 2008 and Phelps remained there until the end of the 2010 season before moving to East Yorkshire to take up a one-year deal with Hull FC, where he spent the 2011 campaign.
“To unearth a player of Cameron’s calibre, literally weeks before the start of a new season is a massive bonus and having him on board adds even more competition for places and greater strength in depth to our squad,” said Vikings’ head coach Denis Betts.
“Having played at Super League level for the past few years, he’s well aware of the standard of the competition and the demands that come with it. At both Wigan and Hull, he proved himself to be a quality player and a quality professional, so he’ll bring a lot to our environment, both on and off the pitch.”
Pleased to have secured his Super League future, Phelps added; “I sat down and had a good chat with Paul Cullen in Australia recently and I was very impressed with what he had to say about the club and its plans. The same also applies for Denis Betts who only had good things to say about the place.
“It’s an exciting time to be involved at the Vikings and I’m looking forward to helping the team in their push towards the finals. Hopefully Denis can find a berth for me somewhere in his team and then it’s up to me to add value and contribute to the team wherever I’m selected and it’s going to be interesting to see how it all pans out.
“I have been keeping myself in good shape by training with Canberra Raiders back home and I’m really looking forward to the fresh new challenge in front of me.
“I’ve played at the Stobart Stadium for both Wigan and Hull in the past and I know already what a passionate bunch the Vikings’ supporters are, so running out and playing on the new i-pitch in front of them is something I can’t wait to do.”
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