Scotland star Callum Phillips is switching clubs for 2018 – moving on a one-year deal to Whitehaven.

The Recreation Ground club had been chasing Phillips since before the last transfer deadline.

They have now confirmed that the effervescent half-back, who also operates at hooker, is moving from Workington Town after five years at Derwent Park.

In that time, the 25-year-old has made 112 senior appearances, scoring 24 tries.

His performances have also seen him represent Scotland in the 2014 European Cup where he came off the bench in all three games and scored two tries to help them qualify for the 2016 Four Nations.

He came off the bench in the Scots’ famous draw against New Zealand at Derwent Park in the 2016 Four Nations and will represent the country in this year’s World Cup in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Haven player-coach Carl Forster was ecstatic to complete the signing of Phillips.

He said: “To get a signing like Callum really does show our intent for the upcoming season.

“His pace and skills are frightening and he will add great competition to key positions in the team.

“He’s a good lad and good professional which will bring out the best in others around him and it will be great to see him in a Whitehaven shirt.”

Phillips said: “When Carl contacted me about joining Haven, my main draw was that he had a specific position in mind for me.

“Hopefully, I can nail that down and help the club push for promotion back to the Championship.

“I’d just like to thank everyone at Workington Town – the players, coaches, the backroom staff and the fans for the last five years.

“My main focus now is to cement a place in Carl Forster’s team.

“I’m looking forward to pre-season and working hard to make that happen.”

Whitehaven had tried to initiate an exchange deal with Town after discussions between Forster and former coach Dave Clark before the last deadline. But nothing came of it.

Phillips is the eighth member of the 2017 squad to be announced with more to come next week as preparations are in full swing for the 2018 season.