Jack Johnson signs for Widnes

Widnes have signed former Warrington utility back Jack Johnson on a one-year deal.

Johnson, 23, ended the 2019 campaign with Featherstone, scoring three times in eight appearances to help them reach the Championship Grand Final.

He made 18 appearances for Warrington and has played on dual-registration with Rochdale, as well as having a brief loan spell at Widnes back in 2017.

Johnson said: “I’m really excited about the move. I’ve always kept an eye on Widnes after the time I spent here and it’ll be good to pull the shirt on again.

“Obviously as a club it’s been quite up and down, but I’m looking forward to playing my part in this rebuilding process and it’s all very exciting.

“Widnes is still a very big club and I spent a short time here on loan and I honestly loved it. The fans were always great to me, even though I was a Warrington player at the time, so that played a huge part in me signing. I’m sure the team and I will get the same support this year, which I’m looking forward to.

“Tim (Sheens) was also a massive factor as to why I signed at Widnes. He’s a huge name in the game and I’m really looking forward to learning from him. To win an NRL Premiership and a World Cup, I’m sure he knows a thing or two about the game which hopefully he can pass on to me. He’s a huge coup for the club and it shows that we’re going in the right direction.

“Featherstone was great for me at the back end of last year, going there allowed me to play regular rugby again, which meant I could get some form back, and I can’t thank them enough.

“We had a great run and picked up some really good wins, hopefully I can carry on where I left off here at Widnes. There’s absolutely no reason why we can’t be up there challenging come the back end of the year.”