Jarrod Sammut finds new Championship club
Barrow have announced the signing of former Super League half-back Jarrod Sammut for the 2022 Championship season.
The 34-year-old links up with Paul Crarey’s side for pre-season as the team prepare for their campaign in the second division following the promotion from League 1 in 2021.
Sammut has made more than 250 career appearances, including stints with Penrith Panthers, Bradford Bulls, London Broncos, Leigh Centurions and Wigan Warriors.
He has also won six caps in the international stage for Malta, and brings a wealth of experience to the Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium.
“I want to push for play-offs”
Speaking of the move, Sammut said: “I think the club has shown real momentum the last few seasons and more notably winning the league last season.
“I’d spoken to Andy Gaffney (player director) and Steve Neale (chairman) at length in terms of the club’s strength and potential moving forward and obviously expectations for the coming season.
“Stacky (Jarrad Stack, captain) was also blowing my phone up constantly and throwing in his two cents worth!
“Adding that older, more experienced head amongst a group of lads eager to push on from the high of promotion and keep competing with the top teams I think puts us in good stead heading in to the new season, with nothing to lose so to speak attitude.
“Personally, I want to push for play-offs and give the competition a real shake.”
Head coach Paul Crarey on newest addition
On the signing, head coach Crarey commented: “The signing of Jarrod Sammut is a great coup for us as a team and the club.
“Not only does he bring a wealth of experience in the game at the highest level, he will also add even more X-factor to our offensive options.
“Jarrod is still an ambitious professional and a born winner. We look forward to him entertaining our fans and helping us bring the success the club deserves.”
“We fought off a lot of interest” says chairman Steve Neale
Chairman Steve Neale added: “We fought off a lot of interest from other clubs but we were determined to land a big name before the start of the season.
“Jarrod is top end Championship quality and is in great shape. We feel we have gone under the radar a little but with the likes of Jarrod, Josh Wood, Hakim Miloudi, Gary Wheeler, Adam Walne, Sam Brooks, Danny Langtree and Ryan Shaw, we have a squad that has performed well at a high level.
“The Championship promises to be a fantastic competition and we are looking forward to being in the mix of contenders.”