RATU RUGBY RETURN WITH THE LIONS
13 November 2018
The club is delighted to confirm the signing of centre Mike Ratu for the 2019 Betfred Championship season.
Swinton Lions have moved to sign experienced centre Mike Ratu on a one-year deal with the Club for the 2019 Betfred Championship season.
The 31-year-old moves to Heywood Road following his most recent spell at Rochdale Hornets, having started his career at Leeds Rhinos in 2014, making six appearances for the Super League side.
Ratu (pictured left above) joined to Hull Kingston Rovers in 2010 and then moved Halifax the following year before settling at the Hornets, where he spent three years at the club before taking a break from the sport.
As well as a 14-year career in the sport, Ratu can also boast international honours to his name having featured for Fiji in the 2009 Pacific Cup.
He is also not the first Ratu to feature for the Lions as his uncle Emon (Heritage number 799 – pictured above right) also donned the famous Swinton shirt in the early 1990s, most notably scoring against rivals Salford in April 1991.
Upon signing for the Lions, Ratu said: “I’m extremely excited to start a new chapter after a decent break, I’m very grateful to Stuart and Swinton for giving me this opportunity.
“He’s signalled his intentions for the new year with some quality signings already, I can’t wait to get stuck in and be part of it.”
“MIKE HAS GREAT EXPERIENCE AND A YEAR AWAY SEEMS TO HAVE RE-LIT THE FIRE”
Head Coach Stuart Littler expressed his delight at the opportunity to work with the Centre: “When Mike Ratu called me looking for an opportunity I was happy to discuss. Centre is a position where we identified the need for competition and Mike will do that.
“Mike has great experience and the year away seems to have re-lit the fire burning inside for success. There is no doubt a fully fit Ratu is a strong edge strike weapon that we fully intend to utilise.
“He looks to be in great condition and is fully fit to commence pre-season training this week with the squad. Ratu signing with us means he follows in the footsteps of his uncle that is something the family has every right to be proud of.”
“THIS COULD BE A REAL SMART PIECE OF BUSINESS”
Lions Chairman Andy Mazey added:”I am reliably informed that Ratu’s uncle Emon Ratu once scored a last minute equaliser from 50 yards out against Salford in 1991, so I’m sure he will be looking forward to becoming part of this club’s fantastic family himself.
“This could prove to be a really smart piece of business by Stuart, as centres of his pedigree are few and far between in the market, and with a pre-season under the belt I’m sure he will relish the challenge.”
You can watch Mike and the rest of the Lions with 2019 season tickets now ON SALE and available ONLINE.
Confirmed 2019 Squad
