Chris Hill signs for Warrington

Warrington have announced the signing of Leigh Centurions prop forward Chris Hill on a two-year deal starting in 2012.

Having started his playing days with Wigan St Patrick’s the 23-year-old prop forward joined Leigh in 2004 becoming a regular first team player in 2006.

Chris played in the Centurions Northern Rail Cup winning team in 2006 and has also represented England Academy.

This year’s Northern Rail Cup semi-final saw Chris reach a milestone with his 150th game for Leigh and he will be part of the squad competing in the final against Halifax next weekend.

Chris has looked up to many of the players at Warrington throughout his career none more so than Adrian Morley and he is now looking forward to playing alongside them.

Chris said: “I’m absolutely delighted. Obviously I’ve been at Leigh since the age of 16 but I really wanted to ‘step up’ and this is a fantastic opportunity for me. Warrington is a great club with great ambition, and I hope to go far with them. I just can’t wait to get started now. I’ve got the rest of the season with Leigh and want to win a couple of finals with them and then kick on with Warrington.”

Wolves Head of Coaching and Rugby Tony Smith adds: “Chris is a young British player who has developed well and proven himself within the Championship. This is now his time to be given an opportunity within Super League. We can see great potential in him and look forward to seeing him grow as a player with us from next season.”

Leigh Centurions Head Coach Ian Millward also added: “I am delighted for Chris. As the fans will testify he has developed all season and is ready for super league. It would not surprise me if in due course he won national recognition.

“Everybody here at Leigh Centurions wishes Chris well for the future. Quite rightly he is a firm favourite with the fans and never takes a backward step.”