LIAM Hood has left Widnes to take up full-time employment outside of rugby league.

It is likely he will continue to play rugby league part-time elsewhere.

Hood joined the Vikings for the start of the 2019 season, and arrived with over 130 appearances with Leeds Rhinos, Salford Red Devils, Swinton Lions and Leigh Centurions, as well as international experience with Scotland.

Scoring tries against Warrington Wolves in pre-season and Toulouse Olympique and Featherstone Rovers in the Betfred Championship, Hood became an instant fans favourite for his strong defence and his ability out of dummy half.

Following the last week, in which the club entered administration before being taken over by a consortium, Liam has decided to take up an opportunity away from the sport on a full-time basis. His decision was made with his young family in mind, with a view to playing rugby league part-time elsewhere.

Hood said: “For myself and my family, the last couple of years has been really, really tough.

“Things didn’t go perfectly last year, and the same has happened here in the last week or so.

“I’ve got to start thinking about my family, I have two young kids, and a job opportunity outside of rugby came up recently that I couldn’t turn down. I’ve got to think about putting my family first now after the year we’ve just been through.

“Despite the last week, I’ve absolutely loved my time at Widnes since I started here back in November. The whole place made me feel welcome as soon as I came through the door, from the staff, to the fans and finally the players. Everyone made me feel so welcome, and I’m gutted that it has ended like this.

“To see how the club and the town has come together in the last week shows what it means to people and why it was important that the club was saved.

“People are always talking about the saying of “Once a Viking, Always a Viking,” and that’s the case with me.

"Moving forward, I’ll always have nothing but great words to say about this club, and I really hope Widnes eventually get back to where they belong in Super League.”