Oldham have confirmed the signing of Wigan academy winger Ben Holcroft on a one-year deal from 2021.
The 19-year-old has progressed through the Warriors’ scholarship, academy and reserves systems, with a highlight being scoring a try in his side’s Super League Academy Grand Final win over St Helens last year (above).
He becomes the Roughyeds’ seventh new signing for next season, following the acquisitions of Shaun Pick, Luke Nelmes, Tyler Dupree, Tommy Brierley, Ben Heaton and Martyn Reilly.
“It will be a big leap out of my Wigan comfort zone, but I know John Hutchings and some of the other lads who are already at Oldham and that will help me to settle in,” Holcroft said. “I’m really looking forward to being part of the Oldham squad and getting the chance to show what I can do.”
“I loved my years at Wigan, but it was time to move on and seek a new challenge and Oldham convinced me it was the club for me.
“I played centre when I first went to Wigan on scholarship, but my coach at that time said he preferred me on the wing and I’ve been on the wing ever since.”
Oldham head coach Matt Diskin added: “He’s a big lad for an outside back and he’ll be pushing for a wing spot. Occupancy of the wing positions is still up in the air at the moment and Ben will have just as much chance as anybody else.
“He’s very strong with the ball coming out of backfield and that’s essential for a winger in the modern game.
“If he works hard, adapts to the change and strives hard to reach personal goals as well as those of the team and the club he’ll do well, of that I have no doubt.”
