Friday 12 January 2018 09:20, UK
Widnes Vikings have signed Papua New Guinea international prop Stanton Albert from Papua New Guinea Hunters on a two-year deal.
The 23-year-old, who made three appearances at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, joins his brother Wellington Albert at the Vikings.
Albert joins the Vikings following the sudden death of Kato Ottio who was due to travel to England on Thursday but dies of severe heatstroke in Papua New Guinea.
Widnes head coach Denis Betts said: "Stanton is a player that we have had real interest in, even before my time at the World Cup.
"He came highly recommended to us by some of our key contacts in Australia, and I was very impressed in what I saw in his international appearances for PNG at the tournament.
"Stanton joins the Vikings with a great pedigree and a desire to build his career.
"He will create real competition for places, because he is desperate to play and wants to make the most out of this opportunity."
"His move also makes a lot of sense, given the tragic news of Kato's passing. We believe that Wellington and Stanton will get the best out of each other, and settle well in the local community together
