ONE-time North Stander and season ticket holder Luis Roberts is already living the dream after signing for his home town club.

But Leigh’s new teenage winger won’t restrict his ambitions simply to wearing Centurions’ colours.

He’s already played two Super League games for Salford. And a return to the top division is a top goal for the former St Mary’s Catholic High School pupil.

So, too is a place in John Kear’s Welsh squad for next season’s delayed World Cup.

Roberts, 19, said: “When I got that phone call Leigh wanted me it was as though a dream had just hit.

“If I can help them into Super League that would be an even bigger dream. Chris Chester wants me to show I am ready to play at the top level of the Championship and hopefully Super League the year after.

“He wants me to prove I can be a player that is part of a top team.”

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Roberts was nominated alongside Ebon Scurr of Bradford and eventual winner, Tyler Dupree of Oldham, for 2021 Championship young player of the year after 10 tries in 18 appearances for Swinton.

Such impressive form and his schooling at Salford Red Devils, including an appearance for Spaniards, Valencia Huracanes in January 2020, persuaded Leigh to swoop for the ex Leigh Miners and Folly Lane amateur.

Initially dabbling with football at Sacred Heart Primary, young Luis was immediately smitten with rugby. “I fell in love with it straight away and was hooked,” he confirmed.

“After that I always wanted to play rugby and make it my career. I put all my eggs in one basket.”

However, he successfully completed a two-year B Tech Sport and Active Leisure qualification at Eccles College.

And he supplemented any free time by volunteering with registered charity and social supermarket, The Bridge at Leigh.

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Dad Andrew is operations manager and mum Catherine is the manager at the Avenue based premises. Both are Leigh fans too.

“I started helping out during my school holidays when I was 16,” he explained. “Basically, big companies who want to throw away surplus food that’s still in good nick, give us a call and we will pick it up to help people in need.

“It’s good and I enjoyed helping out.”

Roberts, Jy Hitchcox from Toulouse and Jayden Hatton from Widnes are Leigh’s latest recruits for 2022 while Matty Gee has joined Halifax.

The Championship promises to be a hotly contested league next year. And Roberts reckons Brian McDermott’s Featherstone will be the ones to beat.

“If you ever get the win on them, it’s always a big proving point. If you beat them, you are pretty much the best, I think.”

Having represented Wales at junior level, he’s keen to progress up the ladder. "Playing in a Grand Final and at Wembley are ambitions for most kids,” he said.

“So, too is playing in a World Cup. I will be so proud if I make it into the squad. Fingers crossed I make it.”

Leigh will field two new teams next season-in Physical and Learning Disability rugby. They will be overseen by Scott Burns who previously worked with Wigan Warriors and Scotland.