Oliver’s delight after Devils loan extension
OLIVER Roberts is relieved his future is sorted out after extending his loan deal with Salford Red Devils.
The Huddersfield Giants secondrower is on loan at the AJ Bell Stadium this season, but the clubs have agreed for the Irish international to spend the 2021 campaign there too.
And the 25-year-old, who was born in Huddersfield but started his career with Bradford Bulls, says he can now focus on becoming a regular with Salford now he knows where he will be playing his rugby for the next two season.
He said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at Salford, so this was a nobrainer.
“I felt that things had really come into place in that final week before lockdown and having more time to gel with the team and the coaching staff will only mean things improve further.
“Getting secured and knowing where I’m going to be next year means I can really concentrate on making sure I have that starting shirt.
“The club felt very united in that last game we had. The boys, the staff and the fans – it was fantastic.
“I want to build on that and be part of more of those nights.”
“I’d like thank to Huddersfield for allowing me to continue my loan into next season.
“I’m looking forward to completing
I’ve really enjoyed my time at Salford, so this was a
no-brainer
ing a full pre-season with the boys under (head coach) Ian Watson next season, and fighting to get a starting shirt at the Red Devils and continue my development leading into the World Cup next year.
“Finally, best of luck to Huddersfield in the next two seasons and all the best to everyone connected with the Giants.”
Richard Thewlis, Giants’ managdirector said: “Speaking to Oliver, he has enjoyed his brief time at Salford and is looking forward to completing the season at the club.
“In chatting to him and the Salford club, we felt it was natural and fair to continue the arrangement until next season, and all parties involved were happy to do so.”
Watson, who led Salford to the Grand Final last season, believed Roberts has already strengthened the Red Devils.
He said: “Ollie’s been a key addition to us in 2020. He brought to Salford a great determination to work hard to be a starting Super League back-rower, so we’re delighted to have him with us for the next season.
“His defensive work made us a lot stronger as a team and as an attacker he was just starting to find his feet in our structure.
“With this signing, we have time to develop his style into our team further, where we will see Ollie get better and better and fulfil the potential I know he has.”