Oldham sign Dean from Down Under

Oldham are delighted to announce the signing of half-back Riley Dean from Australian side Mackay Cutters with immediate effect, on a contract until the end of 2026.

The 22-year-old signs after landing from Down Under this week, and is in contention to make his debut for Sean Long's side on Sunday when League 1 leaders Oldham host title challengers Keighley at Boundary Park.

"I can't wait to get going and this is a good opportunity for me to hopefully cement myself in this Oldham team for an exciting journey to be part of," Dean told Roughyeds TV.

It was a great experience and a new way of life in Australia, learning some life lessons and that was an opportunity I wanted to take.

This now is an opportunity that I did not want to let go and I'm glad I have taken it. I get on with Longy, he is a really good bloke outside of rugby and he doesn't really put the ball down that often. He is one of the big reasons I have come back, with the depth and bank of knowledge he has got - if I can take five per cent of that it is good enough for me.

He and (managing director) Mike Ford laid out the vision of this club and I hope I can play my part to get it to where it deserves to be."

Dean made his Super League debut for Warrington Wolves in 2019 and enjoyed loan spells with York, Dewsbury, Newcastle, Featherstone – where Long was head coach – and Castleford, before his move to join the Cutters in the Queensland Cup.

Sean Long added:

"I have kept in touch with Riley for a long time and coached him at Fev. He was talking about coming home so we worked it out, he knows how I play and how we defend and it is great to get it over the line now for the last few games of this season.

He controls the game and has been learning his craft in Australia tackling those big lads out there. He will bring calmness and clarity and will slot right in - if selected!"