North Wales add experienced winger

North Wales Crusaders have announced the signing of former Super League and NRL winger Patrick Ah Van for the 2021 campaign.

After breaking into the senior team at NRL club New Zealand Warriors, Ah Van made the journey to Super League with Bradford Bulls, playing a solitary season in Yorkshire.

The 33-year-old then switched to Widnes Vikings, where he made the vast majority of his 123 appearances at the top level, scoring an impressive 95 tries.

He also played one game on loan for the Crusaders in 2018. He scored three goals in a 24-20 win at Newcastle Thunder in League One.

Ah Van also has representative honours, earning caps for Samoa, and has more recently been on the books at French club Villegailhenc-Aragon.

He has had two spells there, with a second spell at the Vikings in the middle. In that spell, he scored four tries in five matches and helped the Vikings to Wembley for the first time since 1993 in the inaugural 1895 Cup.

On signing for Crusaders, Ah Van said: “I can’t wait to get out there with the lads.

“I want to get out there, do my best and give a lending ear if someone wants to learn. If I can teach them anything, I’ll try my best.

“There aren’t many teams I’ve been at in the past where I’ve been the older fella, but I can’t wait to play for Crusaders and support the team wherever I can.”

North Wales boss Anthony Murray added: “We’re delighted to add Pat to our squad for 2021.

“He has so much experience playing at the very highest level and his signing highlights the positive progress we’re making on and off the field at Crusaders.”