Ex-Wigan prop Eddy Pettybourne returns to England with League 1 club
Eddy Pettybourne in action for the USA at the 2017 World Cup
Former Wigan prop Eddy Pettybourne has joined promotion-chasing League 1 club Keighley on a deal until the end of the 2023 season.
The 34-year-old arrives at Cougar Park from French side Limoux. He helped them reach the French Elite 1 Championship final in his role as player-coach.
Pettybourne said: “I am extremely excited to join this club as I know it has such a great history.
“The club has done so well this season and I’m looking forward to being apart of it all both on and off the field.
“The club is in great hands and being led by a combination of amazing and experienced coaches and staff.
“I will be giving my absolute best to help see this club take it to the next level and make history.”
Keighley chief delighted to pull off Eddy Pettybourne coup
Pettybourne made more than 100 appearances in the NRL for South Sydney Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers between 2007-13.
The New Zealand-born forward had one season in Super League with Wigan in 2014 before returning Down Under with Gold Coast Titans.
Since 2018, Pettybourne has enjoyed spells in France with Toulouse, Villeneuve and Limoux as well as Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade.
Keighley head of rugby Andrew Henderson said: “Eddy is a player we feel will bring undoubted quality both as a player and a person to this team.
“His experience and hunger to achieve will help give the squad fresh energy to keep pushing forward in the second half of the season.
“I firmly believe Eddy will add great value with his leadership qualities both on and off the field and enhance what is already a strong group.
“Our forward pack is really delivering at present, however, having Eddy arrive now at a crucial stage of the season will not only strengthen our pack, add competition for places but challenge the performance levels to rise again.
“We welcome Eddy and his family to the club and look forward to him playing his part in what we have set out to achieve.”
Pettybourne has represented Samoa and the USA on the international stage. He represented the USA at the 2013 and 2017 World Cups.
