Salford use their Ed to agree a new deal
UTILITY BACK WILL GO STRAIGHT OUT ON LOAN TO BRONCOS
OUT-OF-CONTRACT utility back Ed Chamberlain will remain a Red Devil for a further two years - but will spend 2021 on loan at London Broncos in the Betfred Championship.
The 24-year-old has signed a new deal to stay with Salford until the end of the 2022 season and has immediately joined the capitalbased side as he seeks regular firstteam rugby.
Chamberlain, who impressed after arriving at the AJ Bell Stadium mid-way through the 2018 campaign, missed all of 2019 because of injury.
He then joined the Broncos on loan in March in an attempt to recapture his match fitness, only for the competition to be curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic just days later.
However, Chamberlain did taste action for the Red Devils in October, scoring two tries in his three appearances.
“We’ve been really impressed by Ed’s attitude during a return from injury which was interrupted by the
We have been really impressed with Ed’s attitude during a return from injury Salford’s Ian Blease
first lockdown,” said Salford’s director of rugby Ian Blease. “He showed great professionalism when called upon at the end of the season and proved what he can offer to the team.
“This opportunity with London is one we had set up to facilitate additional game time for Ed last season.
“Our recruitment to the squad means there is even more competition in the outside backs now, making this the best way to ensure he has the consistency required to return to his best, while remaining in a full-time environment.”
Although Niall Evalds and Kris Welham have left the club since the end of the season, Joe Burgess, Morgan Escare and Matty Costello have arrived, while Krisnan Inu recently extended his stay with the club until the end of 2021.
Chamberlain will hope to return to the AJ Bell Stadium ahead of the 2022 season and force his way into Richard Marshall’s first-team setup.
Meanwhile Inu says he is delighted after Salford confirmed on Christmas Day that the winger will be remaining at the club.
With his performances since the restart of the competition in August, Inu earned a place in the 2020 Super League Dream Team and was an integral part of the side that charged to the Challenge Cup final at Wembley.
“I’m really pleased to have extended my stay at Salford,” said the 33-year-old. “I love playing here and I think that helped me get back to my best last season.
“The boys are great to be around and it’s been two finals in two years for us since I arrived, so we all want to go that one step further now.
“Everyone is excited for our first proper home match since March and I’ve definitely missed that atmosphere.”
Salford have certainly been busy in terms of recruitment, with New Zealand forward Elijah Taylor also joining them this week. And Blease believes they have made a real statement.
He said: “The addition of a worldclass talent like Elijah will help elevate the squad as a whole.
“His presence makes our pack look even more imposing going into next season and beyond.
“This signing is a statement of our intent.”