Roughyeds land homeboy Russell

Roughyeds have secured Super League half-back Oliver Russell on 12-month deal from Wakefield Trinity.

The 28-year-old will play for his hometown club in 2027 after making 17 appearances for Huddersfield Giants in the season just gone.

Russell has played the vast majority of his 137 career appearances in the top flight, with his signing representing a major coup for the club.

“I’m over the moon,” said Olly. “It’s special, isn’t it, signing for your home town club.

I’m excited to play here at Boundary Park and in front of the fans – I’ll have a lot of friends coming because I’m an Oldham boy and I’m just really excited to get going.

I know a few of the lads already and some of the new signings that are coming in to join me. It will be a really good young squad and it is just really exciting times.”

The move also sees Russell follow in the footsteps of his father Richard, who made 125 appearances for Oldham between 1989 and 1993.

He says the family connection makes the move even more special.

"I told him the other day and he was over the moon,” he added.

It is very special to obviously play for your hometown club but also to follow in my dad’s footsteps.

He had a lot of success at Oldham, so hopefully next year we can bring the success back.”

Roughyeds boss Alan Kilshaw is backing his latest recruit to make a significant impact at Boundary Park.

“We’ve signed a top-class British half-back who I believe can be one of the outstanding players in his position in the Championship,” he said.

He’s got plenty of Super League experience already, but importantly, he still has a lot of growth in him.

He’s at an age where half-backs really start to thrive and develop their game, and I’m confident he can take another big step forward with us.

Just as importantly, I see Olly becoming a great leader for us. He understands what it means to play for this club and will have a big role to play both on the field and within our group.

Off the field, his signing embodies what we want Oldham to be about. We want Oldham-born players at the core of our squad, representing their town and their community at Boundary Park."

Chairman Terry Flanagan MBE added:

"We're delighted to sign Olly as we secure our team rebuild. Our vision is to have strong Oldham connections throughout the club.

This is great news with season tickets going on sale shortly."