Widnes move for Wales prop

Widnes have signed Wales international prop forward Anthony Walker from Championship rivals Bradford on a two-year deal.

Walker, 30, is re-united with John Kear, who brought him out of retirement ahead of the 2021 season.

The former St Helens and Wakefield prop had to step out of the game after being diagnosed with a potentially fatal brain condition days before the 2017 World Cup.

After radiotherapy and being given the all clear to play on, he joined Bradford and played in Wales’ mid-season test against France.

He told the club’s official website: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s a good club to come to, it’s moving in the right direction. It’s got good aspirations and some of the signings already announced have been exciting.

“John’s the kind of guy if he says run through a brick wall, you run through a brick wall. And players want to play for coaches like that. When I had my four years out, John kept in touch. When the opportunity to play under John again it was a no brainer.

“With what we’ve signed and what’s already here, we want to pushing towards the top, winning your home games and getting to the play-offs. It’d be nice to have a dig at the 1895 Cup as well.”

Anthony Walker was due to travel to Australia with the Wales team when his life was turned upside down by the news five years ago, when he also had a new Super League deal on the table.

He played 17 times for both St Helens and Wakefield in the top flight, as well as featuring on loan for Rochdale, Whitehaven and Dewsbury.

The Vikings have added St Helens prop Kyle Amor, Hull hooker Jordan Johnstone and Leigh outside back Kieran Dixon to their squad for 2023 so far.

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