Wellington Albert signs Widnes extension
Photo courtesy of Richard Long
Papua New Guinea international Wellington Albert has signed a contract extension with relegated Widnes, keeping him at the club until the end of 2020.
Albert, 24, made 12 appearances for the Vikings after joining last winter alongside brother Stanton, who left the club in the middle of the season.
He said: “I’m very excited about signing the contract and securing my future here. Despite our disappointing season, I want to commit myself to Widnes.
“Moving over to England at the start of the season was really tough for me as a person. However, I’ve managed to overcome these challenges and want to stay at the club, as I’m very happy here, for a long time.
“I’m really looking forward to next year already. Hopefully I can have a good pre-season with the boys and come back bigger and better.
“I love Widnes, especially when I run out and the crowd are singing my name, it makes me feel like a superstar. No matter what, they always get behind me and I can’t wait to play in front of them again next year.”
Albert has played in two World Cups for his country and also played for the PNG Hunters in the Queensland Cup.
He was the first Papua New Guinean player to be signed by an NRL club without having played junior rugby league in Australia when he signed a deal with Penrith in 2014.