{"id":786838,"date":"2026-09-29T23:08:17","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T23:08:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/786838\/"},"modified":"2026-09-29T23:08:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T23:08:17","slug":"melbourne-storm-centre-makes-championship-move-as-ex-hull-kr-man-also-lands-new-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/786838\/","title":{"rendered":"Melbourne Storm centre makes Championship move as ex-Hull KR man also lands new club"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Two Championship play-off sides have confirmed two big signings ahead of the 2027 season with an NRL outside back and a former Hull KR hooker landing new clubs.<\/p>\n

Widnes Vikings and Oldham RLFC, who faced each other twice in the 2026 Championship play-offs, have each confirmed a new recruit for next year.<\/p>\n

The Vikings have announced that Melbourne Storm centre Liam Williams has penned an initial one-year deal with the option of a further year in 2028, with Williams\u2019 signing a huge coup for the club.<\/p>\n

Still only 22, Williams made 20 appearances for the Storm\u2019s New South Wales Cup side this past season, having played in both of the club\u2019s NRL pre-season games \u2013 scoring off the bench in one of those games.<\/p>\n

He scored seven tries in the New South Wales Cup, a competition that has seen plenty of players make the move to Super League, including Hull KR\u2019s first signing of 2027 Moala Graham-Taufa.<\/p>\n

Widnes head coach Allan Coleman explained what a coup Williams was, stating: \u201cHe\u2019s a really exciting player with bags of ability, a real natural, right-sided centre, he\u2019s real tough and aggressive defensively whilst also offering a lot of options in attack.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost importantly he was very keen to come, he\u2019s highly thought of at Melbourne Storm, and I think maybe they see him in the future, but they see it\u2019s very important for his development to be able to come over and play in this competition.<\/p>\n

Most Read on Serious About Rugby League<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u201dm absolutely over the moon and I\u2019d like to thank everybody for their hard work in getting it done.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u270d\ufe0f\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa Widnes Vikings are delighted to announce the signing of Australian centre Liam Williams from Melbourne Storm.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd17https:\/\/t.co\/xx7dseaaCh<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/GzQ8tIvWeM<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Widnes Vikings (@WidnesRL) September 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

History beckons after semi-final controversy and Wakefield Trinity\u2019s upset win \u2013 Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show<\/a><\/p>\n

Championship play-off semi-finalists sign ex-Hull KR man Reiss Butterworth<\/p>\n

Williams isn\u2019t the only signing announced in the Championship today, with Oldham confirming the signing of former Hull KR hooker Reiss Butterworth.<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old was among those to leave Sheffield Eagles at the end of the 2026 season<\/a>, and he\u2019s signed a two-year deal with the Roughyeds as he becomes their first confirmed signing.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d previously impressed at Dewsbury and secured a move to Hull KR before signing with Sheffield, for whom he has played the last two seasons.<\/p>\n

Speaking on his move, Butterworth said: \u201cOldham are a top Championship team and that\u2019s where I want to be playing rugby,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a really good set-up here. I\u2019ve never played at somewhere as good as Boundary Park and I\u2019m looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Head coach Alan Kilshaw added: \u201cI\u2019m really pleased we have been able to secure Reiss on a long-term deal.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe made this signing very early in the year when we were aware of the Super League interest in Cole, and when I was made aware of Reiss\u2019 availability, the club moved quickly to secure him for 2027 and 2028.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a real competitor and has been one of the most consistent number nines in the Championship over the last few seasons.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has also played in and been around Super League environments, so I\u2019m expecting him to thrive in our environment next season, sharing the hooking duties with Matty Wildie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roughyeds are delighted to confirm hooker Reiss Butterworth has signed with the club on a two-year deal.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddde\ufe0f https:\/\/t.co\/zhouheDfYP<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/OlfgQNAdUG<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Oldham RLFC (@Roughyeds) September 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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