Rochdale make double swoop

Rochdale Hornets have signed Jack Higginson and Matt Whitehead ahead of the 2020 League 1 season.

Higginson, 22, played his junior football at Rochdale Mayfield before being snapped up by Wigan where he went on to appear in the first team. 

An Ireland international, he also enjoyed a loan spell at the Crown Oil Arena in 2019 where he scored one try in three appearances. 

Higginson almost decided to hang up his boots following a frustrating 2019 before signing the deal.

“After originally calling it a day last year, I felt a little bored and had too much time on my hands,” he said.

“After a lot of poking from a few of my mates here, I eventually started training with the boys and to be honest, I haven’t looked back. 

“I’ve started enjoying rugby again and feel much more confident with my shoulder which I’ve had a bit of trouble with.

“Being from Rochdale myself, I’m looking forward to playing with some of my best mates again who I played with at Mayfield. There’s a buzz around the group from what I’ve seen, and we have a really good, local group. 

“We could do something this year and help us get back to the Championship where we belong.” 

Following a successful trial, Matt Whitehead has also signed with the club for the 2020 season.

Whitehead, 23, featured from the bench in Rochdale’s pre-season fixture against Widnes, and has also represented Lancashire BARLA.