A championship side have signed a former Salford Red Devils winger, who boasts plenty of Super League experience, ahead of the upcoming 2025 campaign.
Ex-Salford Red Devils man Rhys Williams is entering his 15th season as a professional with his career starting with Warrington Wolves, for whom he played 29 times and scored an impressive 21 tries.
Since then, Williams has played at a number of clubs whilst also backing himself to play Down Under – playing for Central Queensland in 2014 when he scored eight tries in 15 games.
Incredibly, Williams debuted for Wales before he even made his professional debut with his first cap for his country coming in 2008 in a 74-0 loss to England. He has gone on to make a whopping 36 appearances, representing his nation at three separate World Cups.
Most recently Williams was playing for Swinton Lions but he left the club at the end of the 2024 season. Despite his impressive haul of 18 tries, Williams could not help the Lions stay in the Championship as they suffered relegation.
Williams will be playing in the Championship in 2025 though after signing for Widnes Vikings for the upcoming season with the former Salford Red Devils flyer signing a one-year deal with Allan Coleman’s team.
Ex-Salford Red Devils man signs with new club for 2025
✍️ Widnes Vikings are delighted to announce our latest addition, as Welsh International Rhys Williams pens a deal for 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣
🙌 Welcome to the Vikings Rhys!#VikingsForevermore https://t.co/EIYmwjcAHJ
— Widnes Vikings (@WidnesRL) January 20, 2025
The news that Williams had signed for the Vikings was confirmed by Widnes who shared a statement announcing the arrival of the prolific winger.
That statement read: “Widnes Vikings are delighted to announce the signing of Welsh International, Rhys Williams, for 2025.
“The former Salford Red Devils man has made 347 career appearances, including 36 on the international stage for Wales.
“A prolific try-scorer, Williams has notched an impressive 206 tries for club and country.
“Having departed Swinton Lions following the conclusion of the 2024 season, Williams links up with the Vikings as he enters his 15th professional season.”
On signing with the club, Williams said: “I’m really pleased to have signed with Widnes. This is a great club, with lots of history and I want to be a part of it.
“I’m also really looking forward to playing with some of my teammates from previous clubs and country.”
He added: “I’m hoping to bring some experience and leadership to the squad, and just to add to the level of competition in the whole squad.”
Head coach Allan Coleman said: “It’s fantastic to get Rhys over the line, I’d like to thank Stuart and all the board for assisting me in getting this deal done.
“With Ryan Ince and Reagan Sumner both carrying knocks, it was vital we brought someone in to strengthen the squad.
“He’s a massive coup for us, and if you look at the four lads we’ve got in those wing positions now, there is some real quality there.
“I’m over the moon to bring Rhys in and I hope the fans get behind him as they have done for all our other new signings.”
