Former Super League fan favourite Patrick Ah Van has signed for Swinton Lions amid the current financial difficulties at North Wales Crusaders.
Ah Van first made the move to England in 2011, signing with Bradford Bulls after five seasons at hometown club New Zealand Warriors in the NRL.
The New Zealand-born man had previously represented Samoa and made an immediate impact in Super League, scoring 82 times across 125 appearances but in recent years he’s been very prominent in the Championship and League One.
He scored 13 tries in 17 games for North Wales Crusaders during their League One-winning campaign in 2025 and was on five in six so far this year, however, he’s the latest player to leave the club amid their financial difficulties.
The club’s owners have withdrawn funding and the Crusaders have forfeited their last two games with conversations ongoing with the RFL regarding a possible solution.
One thing that has happened is an exodus of players with Ah Van’s fellow winger Greg Eden signing for Bradford Bulls on a short-term loan, but Ah Van has made a permanent switch to Championship club Swinton Lions.
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Swinton Lions sign ex-Super League and NRL flyer
Ah Van is straight into the Lions’ 21-man squad for Sunday’s home game against Midlands Hurricanes and he’s not the only addition, with Dante Morley-Samuels signing from North Wales, whilst Kieran Taylor has joined on a two-week loan from Widnes Vikings.
Confirming Ah Van’s move, head coach Anthony Murray said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be working with Pat again. He’s a player I know well, and his experience speaks for itself. Representing Samoa, along with his time at the New Zealand Warriors where he made 54 NRL appearances, shows the level he’s performed at throughout his career.
“He’s also had strong spells in the UK with Bradford Bulls and Widnes Vikings in Super League, as well as representing North Wales Crusaders.
“Pat brings a huge amount of experience to the group, but just as importantly, he still has a massive appetite for the game. His attitude and professionalism will be a big asset for us, and I’m confident he’ll have a really positive impact on the squad.”
Ah Van, who now joins the seventh club in his rugby league career, said: “I’m really pleased to be joining the Lions. I’ve worked with Muzza before and when the opportunity came to link up again at such a historic club, it was an easy decision.
“I’ve been really welcomed into the group, which is full of young and exciting talent, and I can’t wait to take the field alongside them.”
