Tuesday 18 November 2014 12:24, UK
London Broncos have confirmed the signing of Sean Morris while prop forward Erjon Dollapi has penned a new contract.
Morris, 25, played two games for the Broncos at the start of 2014 while on trial and has joined from Oxford RL.
I spent the year working hard and putting in the effort down at Oxford with the aim of giving myself another shot at going forward at the end of the season. For the opportunity to come around again is fantastic.
Morris has been free-scoring in the Kingstone Press Championship One and head coach Joey Grima is delighted to land his signature.
“Sean is a superb athlete and has scored tries for fun with Oxford. He will be a great addition to our squad,” Grima told the club’s official website.
“We are pleased to help give players from clubs in the region an opportunity to perform at a higher level. Oxford have been fantastic to deal with since we first approached them about Morris and we’d like to thank them for their professionalism.”
Morris is pleased to get another shot at full-time rugby, saying: “I’m really pleased to be back. I was a little disappointed at the end of the trial last year.
“I spent the year working hard and putting in the effort down at Oxford with the aim of giving myself another shot at going forward at the end of the season. For the opportunity to come around again is fantastic.
“It’s great for Oxford. “It’s important in the south where union is dominant that there is a pathway for players to go full-time from amateur. It’s strong the impact my signing will have on Oxford and the surrounding areas.
Oxford RL managing director Adrian Smith said: “We are delighted and excited for Sean to be joining the Broncos. It’s been his ambition to become a full-time professional and Oxford RL are proud to have helped him achieve that goal.
“My only surprise is it’s not happened sooner,” continued Smith. “Sean is a southern lad and I hope his signature for the Broncos sends out a clear message to players, that Oxford RL is a club opening up opportunities.
“I see this as a terrific opportunity for Sean and a highly positive way of raising Oxford RL’s profile. Everyone connected to the club and Oxford’s Blue Army wishes Sean every success and we will watch his progress closely, he will always have our support.”
Meanwhile, Albanian-born 21-year-old Dollapi has signed a new one-year deal with the Broncos.
Dollapi, who came through the club's youth set-up, made eight appearances last season and will hope to become a regular starter when the Broncos compete in the Championship in 2015.
Grima commented: "Dollapi showed some good promise in 2014 and I'm pleased to have him on board for the coming season. The key for Dollapi this season is to work alongside some of the more experienced forwards in our pack to help bring his game up to the next level."
