LIONS SECURE LOAN DEALS FOR SALFORD PAIR

04 April 2018

The club confirms the loan signing of Gavin Bennion and Levy Nzoungou from Salford Red Devils.

  Levy Nzoungou has featured most recently for Oldham and Whitehaven in League 1 in 2018

The club is delighted to confirm the loan signing of prop forward Levy Nzoungou on an initial month’s loan from Salford Red Devils, plus the extension of Gavin Bennion’s stay with the Lions for a further month. 

Gavin Bennion has already turned in some fabulous performances for the Lions since joining us on loan from Salford in February, so we’re therefore delighted to announce a further one month extension to his loan period. The 23-year-old former Warrington and Rochdale forward will provide us with added forward fire power through some important forthcoming fixtures.

Accompanying Gavin on loan from Salford will be 20-year-old Levy Nzoungou. Born in the Congo but brought up in France, Levy joined the Red Devils ahead of the 2018 season to add considerable size and power to the Red Devils’ pack. He came through the ranks at St Helens with whom he won the Academy Championship following an unbeaten season. Levy then went down-under to ply his trade with NRL giants Melbourne Storm before returning to France where he had a successful 2017 season with Championship Shield winners Toulouse Olympique.

Swinton Head Coach Stuart Littler said, “I’m absolutely made up to be able to announce the re-signing of Gavin Bennion, together with the month’s loan of Levi Nzoungou. Gavin has been outstanding for us so far this year, and I would like to thank Ian Watson and Salford for their support in agreeing both of these loan deals.

“We have a massive month ahead and these two lads will give us some real strike power and further options within our squad. Alongside our valuable dual-registration agreement with Wigan, our great relationship with Salford continues to give us a real boost in support of our playing squad.”

Chairman Andy Mazey added, “We are delighted to have extended Gavin’s stay with the Lions and we are also thrilled to be welcoming Levy to the club. Gavin has been outstanding for us and was on a week to week deal since his initial month’s loan expired. Understandably Gavin was attracting the attention of others and Salford received enquiries from some higher placed clubs than ourselves. However, Stuart was absolutely clear that he wanted to retain Gavin so we have worked overtime to get a new deal in place.

“With Josh Barlow now missing the next three games through suspension, Stuart was also keen to bolster his middle options further and we are therefore absolutely thrilled to have been able to reach an agreement with Salford to secure the services of Levy. Levy is a big, young, athletic middle who really impressed at Toulouse, so I’m sure will make a big impact for us in the weeks ahead.”

“Finally on behalf of the Board, I would like to go on record to thank the two Ians over at Salford (Watson and Blease), and to also give credit to our magnificent supporters who have been pledging money to our new ‘Pride Builder Fund’. This fund will not only make a telling contribution to these two deals, it will also enable us to look at further options as we continue to strengthen our squad and build for the future.”