Oldham snap up former St Helens centre
Calvin Wellington in action for St Helens
Oldham have signed former St Helens centre Calvin Wellington for the 2022 League 1 season.
The 25-year-old Welshman came through the ranks at Saints, making a solitary first team appearance at Magic Weekend in 2016.
Wellington returned to Wales to take up a contract with rugby union side Dragons in 2017. But he returned to rugby league two years later with Workington.
He was offered a new deal by Workington for 2022. However, he decided to sign for Oldham due to commitments outside of the game.
Calvin Wellington excited to be coached by Stuart Littler
Wellington said: “I prefer league, there’s a lot more involvement. Things didn’t work out for me at Dragons because of injuries and opportunity knocked for me at Workington Town so I went up there.
“It was great to be back in league and eventually to be part of the Town team that won promotion at the end of last season. But a lot of my time in Cumbria was affected by Covid.
“I feel I’m still finding my feet in league. I want to improve and learn as much as I can. One of the things that attracted me to Oldham was the opportunity to be coached by an ex-player who used to be a top centre (Stuart Littler).
“If Stu Littler can’t show me how to be a good centre, who can?
“The other attraction was a logistical one. I’m living now with my partner Leah, an Irish girl, in Manchester and studying for a law degree at the Open University.
“Workington wanted me to go up to the Championship with them and had offered me a new deal for 2022. But, in the circumstances, my decision to opt for the Roughyeds was a no-brainer.
“I know I’ll be a division lower than Town, but it would be nice to win two promotions in two years.”
Oldham coach Stuart Littler said: “Calvin is an exciting signing and I’m looking forward to working with him.
“Things are looking good as far as our squad-building exercise is going. We still need a few more and I’m expecting another announcement over the weekend.”
READ MORE: Championship ins and outs for 2022: Signings and retentions club-by-club