Widnes confirm signing of Matt Cook
Widnes have signed prop Matt Cook from Castleford on a one-year deal for 2021.
The 33-year-old has made almost 300 appearances for Bradford, Hull KR, London Broncos and Castleford.
Cook, who has earned two caps for England, will play the rest of the 2020 campaign with the Tigers.
Cook said: “It feels great to have signed for the club. Tim Sheens reached out to me when he realised I was available and off contract, putting the feelers out to see if I would be keen to jump on board and join the Vikings next year.
“It made perfect sense. I live nearby in Warrington and I’ve been commuting to Castleford over the last six years, so it was a great opportunity to join Widnes who are very local to me.
“One of the big reasons for me to sign at Widnes and not any other Championship club is that my dad is a born and bred Widnes lad. He’s chuffed to bits as well. He will be very proud when I finally make my debut for Widnes and it will be a great moment for me in my career.
“It’s also a chance to play under Tim Sheens who has been very successful over the years, and a real opportunity to hopefully do something special at Widnes. Trying to get this club back into Super League was an opportunity I relished, and I thought it would be a good fit for me.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge (playing in the Championship), and when every club is looking to gain promotion to the Super League there is a lot at stake. It’s been a pretty competitive competition for the last few years, especially with some of the teams being full-time.
“I’m prepared for that challenge. It’s exciting to see if I can do some special and challenge myself in that way, hoping to get the team promoted back up to Super League. I know Widnes has got a massive history and I think they are a team that should be in Super League. With the fanbase, the history and the facilities they have I really think Super League is calling it’s just a case of getting back there now.
“I’m hoping to finish on a high at Castleford, that’s going to be high on my agenda now, hopefully with some silverware. At the same time I want to show all the Widnes fans what I’m capable of and give them something to look forward to next year with what I can bring to the team.”
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