Widnes have confirmed the signing of experienced forward Lee Jewitt, whilst also announcing that four players will leave the club at the end of the season.
33-year-old joins having started the year playing for Barrow in League 1, before the season was voided due to the Covid-19 suspension.
A veteran of over 180 professional appearances, including spells at Wigan, Salford Castleford and Hull KR, Jewitt has signed a signed a one-year deal from 2021 and will add significant experience to Tim Sheens’ side.
“It was an easy decision really. I know quite a few of the lads who are already at the club and I know Tim [Sheens] quite well from playing under him at Hull KR,” said Jewitt. “I know some of the ex-Widnes players too and all I have ever heard is good things about the club, so as far as the club goes and the supporters it makes it a pretty easy decision.
“Tim is a great coach to work with. He’s probably one of the best coaches I have had throughout my career. He knows how to look after his boys and get the best out of them at the same time.
✍🏼 Time to add another experienced & aggressive forward to our pack for 2021… pic.twitter.com/mhWi4Dlyg8
— Widnes Vikings (@WidnesRL) August 7, 2020
“He’s a very clever coach and the amount of games that he has coached speaks volumes; he’s a legend within his own right and is someone I really enjoyed working with. As soon as I spoke to Tim it was a case of ‘yeah, I want to play under you again’.
“I’d like to think I have been around the game long enough to bring some sort of experience in different areas. It’s all about winning and winning in the right manner, and that will come from a culture that is created from the squad.”
Meanwhile, Widnes have also confirmed that long-serving forwards Jay and Ted Chapelhow, as well as back rower Sam Wilde and prop Pat Moran will all leave the club, having signed full-time contracts elsewhere.
In a statement, the Vikings said: “Widnes Vikings would like to wish Jay, Ted, Sam and Pat the very best in their future endeavours away from the club.
“We would also like to thank all four players for their efforts in Black and White throughout their time at the DCBL Stadium, both on and off the field.”