Cornwall continue squad building with acquisition of Leeds Rhinos Academy product

Cornwall have made a real splash in the last few months as they prepare for their first season in the Betfred League One and have today added another player to their ranks.

20-year-old utility back Liam Whitton has joined from Halifax Panthers ahead of the 2022 season having previously spent time on loan at Featherstone Rovers.

Whitton began his career at Siddal Amateur Club before joining the Leeds Rhinos academy so has huge pedigree having come through one of the most well renowned academies in the game as well as playing for two of the biggest clubs in the Championship.

Head Coach Neil Kelly has described the signing as “a coup” on the club’s official website going onto state: “Liam is a significant signing for the club. His DNA is exactly what we need and I really think that Liam joining Cornwall rugby league is a little bit of a coup for us.

“We see the likes of Liam and Harry (Aaronson) as those that are young and really want to buy into our project. We absolutely want to develop the talent we already have in Cornwall but attracting talented players from the heartlands is beneficial in so many ways.”

🗣️ "𝗜𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻."

🎬 Our newest signing @LiamWhitton1's first interview after joining Cornwall RLFC. pic.twitter.com/NCRCv75ikc

— Cornwall RLFC (@CornwallRLFC) February 24, 2022

Meanwhile Whitton himself said that he simply couldn’t turn down the opportunity: “It wasn’t an opportunity I didn’t want to turn down, moving to Cornwall and coming to live down here. I wanted to see the different lifestyle and I thought that I might regret (not signing) massively and to be part of a new club. I am really looking forward to it and I’ve heard it’s like being abroad down there in the summer with all the beaches.

“It will a different lifestyle to what I’m used to up here, but I want to experience that, tell people that I’ve done it and advise people to do it.”