Rugby League: Anthony Walker signs for Hornets

Anthony Walker

Rochdale Hornets have signed Wakefield Trinity prop forward Anthony Walker until the end of the season, the club's second Super League signing in the space of a week.

Walker’s signature is one that the Hornets coach Alan Kilshaw has been chasing for some time, and he says he is delighted to have finally captured his man.

Kilsahw said: “The signing of Ant shows our intent to achieve the objectives we set out at the start of the season.

“He has previously played at Rochdale on dual registration when he was a junior at St Helens and has a great affection for the club.

“That is a great example of the club being player centred and having spoken to him I know he can’t wait to play again and pull on the shirt for the remainder of the season.

“He adds to the group both on and off the field and I am delighted to have finally got his signature after pursuing him for the last 18 months.”

It is almost exactly two years since Walker last pulled on a Hornets shirt in a defeat away to Keighley Cougars

He made 22 appearances over two seasons on dual-registration while at St Helen's.

He earned a contract with Wakefield ahead of their first appearance in the qualifiers, and has featured for both Whitehaven and Dewsbury Rams on loan.

Walker also played a big part in Wales’ qualification for the 2017 World Cup as he scored in a victory of Italy which cemented their place in the competition.

He says he is excited to be back at Hornets where he hopes to rekindle his love for the sport.

Walker added: “I’m looking forward to it.

“I haven’t been playing for a couple of weeks now and I’ve had a couple of phone calls with some of the lads here, they didn’t have to sell me the club at all.

“It is on my doorstep and I played my best rugby at Rochdale a few years ago so I’m happy to be back and enjoying my rugby again.

“I just want to be playing rugby every week and playing to the best of my ability, but just enjoying it again mainly.

“The last couple of years haven’t gone how I have wanted them to go and I’ve kind of fallen out of love with the sport.

“Hopefully coming back here will make me enjoy it again and get me back to the form I was in before I signed for Wakefield.”

Walker will be up for selection for Sunday’s clash against Bradford Bulls with junior tickets starting at just £1.