Patrick Ah Van commits to Crusaders
Patrick Ah Van in action for North Wales Crusaders
Experienced winger Patrick Ah Van has committed his future to North Wales Crusaders for the 2022 season.
Ah Van, 33, linked up with the Welsh side last season following a spell in France with Villegailhenc.
As well as playing in the outside backs, he almost orchestrated a fine comeback against Doncaster in the League 1 play-offs.
North Wales reached the play-offs after a fine second half of the season.
Ah Van tweeted: “Thanks North Wales Crusaders for the opportunity. Happy to be spending another season with an awesome club who made me and the fam(ily) feel so welcome.”
Thanks @NWCrusaders for the opportunity. Happy to be spending another season with an awesome club who made me and the fam feel so welcome 🤙🏾 https://t.co/NxWLyxVmZk
— Patrick Ah Van (@Patty_AhVan) December 24, 2021
The Auckland-born man played 54 games in the NRL for New Zealand Warriors before moving to the UK with Bradford.
He scored 12 tries in 28 appearances for the Bulls and then linked up with Widnes for their return to Super League in 2012.
In seven seasons with the Vikings, Ah Van scored 91 tries and 510 points in 118 appearances.
He made one loan appearance for North Wales Crusaders in 2018 before the first of his two spells in the French Elite 2 Championship with Villegailhenc, where he linked up with the Anderson brothers Louis and Vinnie.
In 2019, Patrick Ah Van returned to Widnes to play for free following the club’s period of administration, and featured for them at Wembley in the 1895 Cup final against Sheffield.
Ah Van is the latest player to commit to the club for 2022, following on from utility Jack Holmes recently.
Holmes, 27, has won promotion from League One on three separate positions and has been with Crusaders since the start of 2020.