Highly experienced Super League hooker Stuart Howarth has been snapped up by Workington Town.

The versatile Howarth, who has played over 130 Super League games in his career, can also turn his hand to play at full-back, loose-forward and stand-off.

A product of the Wigan Academy, he has plied his trade at Wigan, Salford, Hull FC, St Helens, Wakefield and spent last season on loan at Bradford Bulls.

Howarth, 26, admitted two former Town stars had a hand in him coming to Derwent Park.

He said: “I’m delighted to join Workington Town.

"I talked to my mate Adam Sidlow who spoke very highly of the club and how he’d loved his time there.

“I’m finishing my masters degree in sports nutrition at Liverpool John Moores University shortly and hope to do my PHd after that.

“My supervisor is Professor Graeme Close who actually played for Town. Playing part-time professional rugby will allow me to have the best of both worlds.”

And Howarth, who played against Workington for Bradford last season, says he has also heard good things about coach Dave Clark which prompted him to sign.

He added: “I’ve heard very good things about Dave Clark and know that he’s assembling a very good mix of experience and new recruits. I can’t wait to get going.”

Town head coach Dave Clark was delighted to sign someone of Howarth’s pedigree and experience.

He said: “Stuart is just the kind of player we are now looking for. He’s very experienced but is still only 26.

“He is very versatile in the positions he can play and that’s an added bonus.

“His full-time professional background can only be of benefit to the young lads we’re bringing through the Town system and those that we’ve recruited from the community game.”

And he indicated to supporters that there were more signings in the pipeline as they head towards the new League One season.

Clark added: “With another three or four experienced signings and a couple of our amateur lads on the cards in the next week or so, we’re getting up to where I want to be at this point in the season.”