Four Leigh Leopards men have joined Salford RLFC on loan ahead of their first Championship game of the season.
The phoenix club will take on Oldham on Friday night as they begin a new chapter under a different guise, a month and a half after Salford Red Devils were liquidated. Salford have been busy over the last couple of weeks building their squad with a majority of the signings made being part of the club’s reserves or academy set ups last year.
The club announced the signings of Will Tilleke, Reece Stanton and Matthew Ross on Tuesday night to take their squad tally to 18, and they have now added a number of loanees to pack out and strengthen Mike Grady’s side.
Leigh owner Derek Beaumont has been credited with helping to get the new Salford club off the ground and the Leopards have assisted their neighbours once more by sending four loan players.
Former Wigan Warriors youngster Ryan Brown will add plenty to Grady’s pack, while Will Brough, son of Super League legend Danny Brough, gives the club a much needed half-back option.
Brough spent a chunk of last season on loan at Midlands Hurricanes, where he made his senior debut for the club, while Brown has spent time on loan with Barrow Raiders.
Oliver Polec has also joined Salford temporarily, with the forward making the move from St Helens to Leigh on a three-year deal over the off-season. Nathan Wilde has joined Salford, too, and he is arguably the most experienced of the quartet with the prop featuring for the likes of Newcastle Thunder, Widnes Vikings and Featherstone Rovers, as well as Leigh, over the course of his career.
The four one-week loan signings, provide a huge boost for Grady and Salford, who know they will be up against it on Friday when they take on one of the competition’s favourites at the Salford Community Stadium.
Salford have also completed the signing of second-rower Liam Cooper, who joins from North Wales Crusaders. Cooper was part of the Welsh side’s promotion winning campaign last year but he makes the move across the border to Salford, having previously represented Swinton Lions, Whitehaven and Halifax Panthers.
Rafael Van Osselaer has also penned terms with Salford ahead of the new season. The outside back represented Salford’s youth side last season but has also spent time on the books at Warrington Wolves.
Salford are expected to name their first ever squad this afternoon ahead of the clash with Oldham.
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