ROUGHYEDS have snapped up prop Josh Johnson from Bradford Bulls on a deal until the end of the 2024 season.
The 28-year-old brings a wealth of experience to the Roughyeds pack having made just under 150 appearances at Super League and Championship level – with over half of those being in the top flight.
He returns to the club having made five appearances and scored two tries for Roughyeds in 2015 on dual-registration from Huddersfield Giants.
“I did have a few interested in me for next year but I didn’t take much convincing, to be honest, as soon as I found out Oldham were interested,” he said.
“I didn’t really entertain any other offers, I just said to my agent ‘let’s get it sorted’, and luckily we’ve managed to do that.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about Stu (Littler), I know a few lads from when he was coaching at Swinton, he’s well respected in the game and I’m looking forward to working with him.
“He’s got the boys playing well, so I wanted to be part of that push for promotion and get Oldham where it should be.”
An Oldham lad who lives in Austerlands, he played for Saddleworth growing up but played most of his amateur career at Waterhead, before he signed for Huddersfield Giants.
He came through the Giants academy system and made 35 appearances for the club and signed for Hull KR in 2017 where he helped them win promotion back to Super League.
He spent three seasons at Salford Red Devils and played for the likes of Widnes and Barrow Raiders before arriving at Bradford.
This year he has made 11 appearances for The Bulls who are currently in the play-offs with a shot at promotion to Super League.
“We’re delighted to get him on board, he’s a very experienced player having played at a high standard,” said head coach Stuart Littler.
“He’s going to come and add experience to the pack and he’s coming in at a pivotal time of the year.
“I’ve said all year that we will keep evolving and growing and he’s another cog in that machine.
“He’s coming in to add value and bring others with him, he’s a robust and dynamic player.
“It’s good to bring an Oldham lad back home, we’ve spoken from day one about getting Oldham boys in the team.
“We are a club on the rise and he’s a signing that ticks a lot of boxes, so we’re really happy to get it done and really keen to get working with him.”
Johnson becomes the third permanent signing of the new regime who are going all-out in their quest for promotion, after the arrivals of Pat Moran and Nick Rawsthorne.
His capture further strengthens the side, and fans should not rule out more additions as the club heads towards a battle for promotion via the play-offs, of which a game (or two) against Doncaster is likely.
Johnson will go straight into contention for the game against Workington on Sunday with Roughyeds looking to get back to winning ways after two straight defeats.
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