Widnes Vikings can confirm that Brad Walker has been granted a release from his current contract at the Vikings to take up an opportunity at a Super League club.
Brad is a product of the Vikings’ Academy system, and made the move to Widnes from his native Cumbria in search of an eventual career in Super League.
Brad, along with other Academy players, would be housed by the club in the town with Widnes staff member, Kurtis Marsh, with Widnes Vikings wanting to help support Brad’s goal of going on to play at the top level.
Brad worked his way through the Youth system to earn himself International honours with England Academy, before being handed a first team squad number for the 2016 season. Brad would then go on to make his debut away at Castleford Tigers later in that year.
After some impressive displays, Brad signed a three-year Super League level contract with the club back in 2018, with two of those remaining at the start of 2020.
Whilst the club would like to have kept somebody of Brad’s quality in the squad for next year, Widnes Vikings feel they need to respect and honour Brad’s wishes of staying full-time and playing in Super League at this stage of his career.
Brad Walker leaves the Vikings having made 40 appearances for the club, scoring 6 tries, as well as becoming the 13th inductee of the Vikings’ Club 20 initiative.
Brad Walker commented, “Firstly I’d like to thank everyone involved with Widnes Vikings for making my time here so special.
“I’d especially like to thank all of the people that work here and the fans for making me feel welcome since the day I arrived, and I’ll remember that forever.
“There’s a few people I want to personally thank, and that is Kurtis Marsh and Phil Finney. If it wasn’t for both of them spotting me up in Cumbria, and letting me move down here, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I will forever be in debt to them both.
“It’s always hard moving on but at this stage of my career, I think to have the chance to go back to Super League is something I couldn’t turn down.
“Again, thank you to everyone at Widnes Vikings, as well as the fans for their support over the years.
“This place took a chance on me and gave me my opportunity in professional rugby league, and I will never forget what this club has done for me.”
Widnes Vikings would like to thank Brad for his services to Widnes Vikings, and wish him and his family all the best for the future.
