A RUGBY league club has today announced yet another signing to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2021 Betfred Championship.

Whitehaven RLFC has revealed that forward Liam Cooper has inked a two-year deal with the side. He will join Haven from the Widnes Vikings.

The 23-year-old former St Helens Academy player is no stranger to the Recreation Ground having spent time there in 2018 on loan from the Saints.

During his stint with Haven he played in 18 games, scoring four tries.

The new signing gives yet more strength to Gary Charlton’s 2021 Betfred Championship squad.

Assistant Coach, Scott McAvoy, coached and played alongside Cooper during his stint at Haven in 2018.

He said: “Liam ‘Ronnie’ Cooper is an excellent signing for the club. He was popular within the club during his last stint due to his work ethic at training and on the field. He plays well above his weight and always gives 100%. A quality player who has a lot to offer so we’ll look forward to seeing him play.”

And Cooper is happy to pledge two years to Haven with the new deal. He said: “I’m delighted to be coming back to Whitehaven. I really enjoyed my time there on loan and was disappointed when Saints recalled me and sent me on loan to Halifax.

“I was enjoying my rugby with a great bunch of lads. I got a pre season injury at Widnes so I haven’t played for a while. I’m ready to go now and looking forward to playing at Whitehaven again.”

Cooper has come through the St Helens system and was captain of their Academy Under 16s. He has Championship experience with spells at Sheffield Eagles and Halifax. The forward joined Widnes on a one-year deal for the 2020 season but a pre-season injury meant he had not played before the season was curtailed.

Cooper’s signing has excited club chairman Tom Todd, who said: “It’s great to announce another good piece of news for the club. We are so glad that Liam Cooper, formerly of St Helens and recently playing for Widnes has agreed terms with Whitehaven for a two-year deal.

“The player’s availability came up very quickly and the football committee had to act very swiftly to get his signature.

Todd added: “We all remember Liam when he had a previous stint here and he certainly adds more power in the forwards.”

Cooper’s signing follows the news that fan favourite Chris Taylor will stay with the side for another two years and former Sydney Roosters prop forward Ryan King will join Haven on a one-year deal. Todd said: “Gary’s team seems to be going from strength to strength at the moment and the 2021 season can’t come soon enough. I think this will be one of the most entertaining sides that has graced the Recreation Ground for some time.”