Leigh's five-star signings (From Leigh Journal)

Leigh's five-star signings

8:00am Sunday 10th February 2013 in Sport

LEIGH have made five-star signings for the 2013 campaign, with the new recruits possessing a good blend of experience and youth.

The five new arrivals – three of whom have amassed 552 Super League appearances between them – are showcased here.

Adam Higson is a sixth acquisition, but he returns to the fold after a year with Swinton Lions and is not expected to be fit until April following an injury.

The players who departed the club at the end of last season were Adam Clay, Dean McGilvray, Tommy Gallagher, John Duffy and Ricky Bibey.

Clay and McGilvray both joined Barrow, Gallagher signed for Dewsbury and Duffy and Bibey both retired.

RYAN DUFFY

Squad number: 21

Date of birth: 13/05/1993

Previous clubs: Warrington, Barrow

Youngster Ryan Duffy joined Leigh at the end of last season from Warrington. The big prop impressed for the Wolves at both under 18s and under 20s levels before shining on loan at Barrow in Championship One last season.

THOMAS COYLE

Squad number: 17

Date of birth: 10/05/1988

Previous clubs: Wigan, Halifax, Oldham, Widnes

Leigh are delighted to have snared the signature of Thomas Coyle ahead of the 2013 season. The 24-year-old hooker or half back made 49 appearances for Widnes but missed the entire 2012 campaign with a compound leg fracture.

SEAN PENKYWICZ

Squad number: 14

Date of birth: 18/05/1982

Previous clubs: Halifax, Huddersfield

After many years of trying, Leigh have finally got their man after prising Sean Penkywicz away from Halifax. He has the ability to change a game whether playing at hooker or half back and has represented Wales at international level.

MARTIN ASPINWALL

Squad number: 13

Date of birth: 21/10/1981

Previous clubs: Wigan, Huddersfield, Castleford, Hull

Aspinwall has arrived at Leigh following an outstanding season with Hull that saw him appear at centre, second row, loose forward and even prop. He is highly experienced having started his first team career back in 2001 with Wigan and clocking up 250 Super League games.

SIMON FINNIGAN

Squad number: 11

Date of birth: 08/12/1981

Previous clubs: Widnes, Salford, Bradford, Huddersfield

Warrington-born Finnigan has joined Leigh from Widnes, where he had been playing for the last two seasons. The back row forward has represented Ireland at international level and made 214 Super League appearances, but injury restricted him to just 10 outings in 2012.