LIAM KIRK IS A CANE
Canes sign veteran Championship forward on 18-month deal
We are delighted to confirm that we have signed experienced Championship prop and loose forward Liam Kirk from Widnes Vikings. Liam joins us on a deal that will see him join the club with immediate effect until the end of the 2026 season.
The Leeds-born forward, 28, has over 175 appearances under his belt at Championship and League One level and will add substantial experience to the Midlands pack. Kirk, who is a product of the Bradford Bulls Academy system, began playing rugby league as a child for Drighligton ARLFC before joining Bradford’s scholarship programme. He made his professional debut for the Bulls in September 2016 aged just 19 in a winning effort over Dewsbury Rams, going on to regularly feature for Bradford between 2017 and 2019 as the club suffered relegation from and promotion back to the Championship.
Having made 83 appearances and scored five tries across five seasons, Liam joined fellow Championship side Oldham following the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. He made 16 appearances for the Roughyeds during the 2021 season - scoring two tries - before signing for Sheffield Eagles on a two-year deal for the 2022 season. Following two strong seasons with the Eagles in which he made 39 appearances and scored three tries, he was Widnes Vikings’ first new signing of the 2024 season as he joined the Chemics on a two-year deal.
With his Widnes contract expiring in November and having featured for the Vikings 38 times, Liam has swapped Cheshire for Birmingham as he links up with Head Coach Mark Dunning, Assistant Coach Leigh Beattie and the rest of the team as we press on with our efforts to secure a place in the 2025 Betfred League One Super 8s.
Liam Kirk had this to say on joining the Canes:
“I would like to thank Dunno for giving me opportunity to come to the club; I have played under him before when I was younger at Bradford and I know what he wants from his players. I am really excited to be here and hopefully I can add to what has already been a successful season for the team. I can’t wait to meet the boys and get stuck into training this week and kick on for the rest of the season.”
Head Coach Mark Dunning also spoke with CanesTV about signing Liam:
“We’re delighted to welcome Liam to the club and the Canes family.
Since Jose Kenga retired we have been looking for a replacement and when we heard of Liam’s availability and interest in coming to the club it was a no brainer.
Having worked with him before I know the qualities that he will add to our middle unit and know he will fit in with our culture and ethics.
Liam is a big man with a wealth of experience who I believe is coming in to the prime of his career so we’re looking forward to the positive impact that he will have on our team.”
Fans eager to see Liam in action could be in luck, with the experienced forward in contention to feature for the Canes as early as this weekend as we take on North Wales Crusaders at Stadium CSM in what promises to be a thrilling top of the table clash in Colwyn Bay.
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