Rising star Littler handed Yeds chance

Oldham are pleased to confirm the addition of youngster Sam Littler to the squad for the 2026 Betfred Championship season, on a one-year deal.

The 18-year-old back row starred with Salford Red Devils reserves and academy last season, and is now excited to continue his development with Roughyeds ahead of an exciting 2026 for the club.

"I'm buzzing to have the opportunity to join this great club and I can't wait to get started," Littler told Roughyeds TV.

"This is a club really on the up and I can't wait to rip into it. I'd like to thank Mike (Ford), the chairman Bill Quinn and John Chadwick for getting this deal over the line."

Littler spent time training with Oldham last season and will now spend a full year with the first-team squad as he looks to follow in the footsteps of Marcus Geener, whose arrival on a similar deal ahead of 2025 led to a competitive debut for the Waterhead youngster against Bradford Bulls at Boundary Park.

"I'm a young back row and very hard-working. Everything I do I do to the best of my ability," said the Blackpool-born forward.

I was with Salford academy and reserves last season and got the opportunity to train with the first team. You train and play with some high-level players there.

Here I think I can learn loads - you only need to look at the experience of this team and the players who have been at the top level for a very long time. In just the few sessions I have done already I have been learning straight away and it is really good to be a part of that.

Speaking to Mike, the chairman and the lads the only way this club is going is up. We are striving for Super League and that is a great thing to be a part of."

Director of Rugby Mike Ford said:

"Sam is a talented and hard-working young forward who has already shown a great attitude during his time training with Oldham.

This is another development opportunity as we look to bring through young local talent, and we saw with Marcus Geener last year what can be achieved through hard work in this first-team environment.

We are looking forward to seeing Sam develop as a player."