Hot-property Aldridge signs for Oldham

Mirfield-born Bailey Aldridge becomes the fourth up-and-coming young man to sign for Oldham for the next two seasons

The latest young Rugby League star to join big-spending Oldham is 18-year-old hooker Bailey Aldridge from Leeds Rhinos.

In a squad that contains loads of experience, Mirfield-born Aldridge becomes the fourth up-and-coming young man to sign for Oldham for the next two seasons.

He follows forward George Hirst, one of their own, Ben O’Keefe, a full-back or centre from Rochdale Hornets and Logan Astley, a full-back or half-back from Wigan Warriors.

All four are highly regarded.

Said Aldridge: “It’s a privilege to sign for Oldham. I see it as a challenge.

"I’ll be learning from the best.

"We’ll be a real threat at our level and hopefully we can win some silverware.”

Having learned the game with Batley Boys and Kippax Welfare, Aldridge has been with Rhinos since he was 14.

The man behind Oldham’s eye-catching recruitment is managing director Mike Ford, a former Oldham player and coach, a former Great Britain tourist and father of Sale Sharks and England RU fly-half George Ford.

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