Workington Town have pulled off a major coup by signing Welsh international prop Phil Joseph.

The highly-rated forward signed this week for the Derwent Park club and will add a wealth of experience to Dave Clark’s squad.

Joseph is not available for Sunday’s Ike Southward Memorial Trophy clash with Whitehaven but will be in training with his new team-mates ahead of the iPro Sport Cup opener on February 19.

And the ex-Huddersfield, Hull KR, Widnes, Swinton, Salford and Bradford man said he was looking forward to the new challenge.

“I’ve had several offers to continue as a full-time player but I also have to think about life after rugby and want to develop my businesses and also give time to my academic studies,” explained Joseph.

“Signing for Town was a great opportunity to do that.

“Workington is a club with a great history and pedigree.

"It’s a club that’s very community and family orientated and that’s the kind of environment I love to play in.

“I know the fans are passionate and knowledgeable at Derwent Park and my pal Jarrod Sammut spoke very highly of the club.

“Dave Clark and the board really sold me on what they aim to do with the club over the next few years and I can’t wait to get started.”

Joseph has made over 100 Super League appearances since debuting for Huddersfield when he was 16 and was made vice captain of the Welsh international side.

Town head coach Dave Clark said Joseph was the perfect addition to the squad to bolster the pack.

“We have quietly and effectively gone about our business, assembling a squad with a great mix of experience and raw talent,” he said.

“We’ve been on the lookout for someone to join our forwards who have been going really well in the pre-season friendlies.

“Phil is a hard running, no nonsense player with a phenomenal work-rate. He will be a great addition to what is already a powerful pack.”

This is just the latest in a run of new faces at Town this week. The club has also added two of Wigan’s hottest young prospects on season-long loans.

Loose-forward and former England Academy captain Kyle Shelford will join fellow packman Macauley Davies at Town for a tilt at the League One title.

Wigan rugby general manager Kris Radlinski said: “Having promoted a number of younger players into the first team this season, we have found ourselves in the situation of having 37 players and simply not enough games.

“Obviously, only 17 players can play each week for the first team and, with only nine reserve games scheduled this year, we have once again had to look at alternative arrangements to try and help further develop the younger members of our squad.

“Both players will continue to train with the first team squad and on their physical development programme.

“We are confident that they’re joining a strong club in Workington and will learn a lot under the stewardship of Dave Clark.”

The duo could go right into Town’s side as they take on Whitehaven on Sunday in the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy at Derwent Park, kick-off 3pm.