Bradford Bulls winger Patrick Ah Van signs two-year deal with Widnes Vikings – Super League
English Rugby League club, Widnes Vikings, has acquired the services of former Bradford Bulls winger, Patrick Ah Van. The Vikings have confirmed the signing of Patrick on a two-year deal in a statement released on their website on Monday, August 1.
The inclusion of the utility back player has strengthened the Vikings squad for their campaign next the season of Super League.
Widnes Vikings head coach, Denis Betts, has expressed his delight at securing the services of Ah Van. He said, “Pat will add a tremendous amount of power and size to our back line and we're delighted to have secured his signature.”
Betts has praised Ah Van’s explosive goal kicking, try scoring skills, and termed his inclusion as very important for the side. He also praised his personality attributes and Ah Van’s desire to succeed. He said, “Another of his qualities is his burning ambition
to succeed in the game, a desire which mirrors that of our own, here at the Vikings.”
Betts further added, “He's a proven try scorer at both NRL and Super League level and at 23, he's a young player whose best years are most definitely in front of him.”
The New Zealand born Ah Van started his professional Rugby League career in New Zealand. He made his professional senior club debut for New Zealand Warriors in 2006. He remained there for four seasons and played 54 games for the Warriors, and scored 74
points, which included 16 tries.
At the end of the 2010 National Rugby League championship season, Ah Van joined the English professional rugby league club, Bradford Bulls.
During his one-year stay at the Bulls, the 23-year-old made 24 appearances for Bulls and scored 212 points. The 212 points comprised of 84 goals and 11 tries.
The Auckland born Ah Van is a versatile player and has the skills, abilities and experience of playing as fullback, centre or at wing position. He made his international debut for Samoa in 2009.
The Super League outfit, Bradford Bulls, has confirmed the departure of their utility back Patrick Ah Van in a statement released on their website.
Bradford Bulls Football Manager, Stuart Duffy, has expressed his best wishes for Ah Van’s future endeavours. He added, “We'd like to thank Patrick for his services to the club this year and we wish him every success in the future.”
In addition to Patrick Ah Van, Vikings have also recruited Ben Cross, Shaun Briscoe, and Hep Cahill to strengthen their squad for their return to the 2012 Super League competition. Earlier this year, Vikings secured their place in the 2012 Super League competition,
after their successful performance in the Cooperative championship.
The club has also retained the services of the Steve Pickersgill, Dave Allen, Macgraff Leuluai, Paddy Flynn, Thomas Coyle, Ben Kavanagh, Kurt Haggerty, Danny Craven, Tom Gilmore and Jack Owens.
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