North Wales Crusaders sign trio for remainder of the season

Mike Grady’s side have seven more games to complete before the end of the Championship campaign and next up will be there home clash with Widnes Vikings on Sunday.

As the summer continues, Crusaders have confirmed the signing of Jordan Cella until the end of the season.

Cella is well known within the National Conference League, having enjoyed spells with Rochdale Mayfield and Thatto Heath Crusaders.

Earlier in his career, he was part of Keighley Cougars’ reserve set-up in 2019 and later spent time on trial with the club.

Cella has also represented Great Britain Police and previously featured within Salford RLFC’s academy programme.

Another new addition to the squad until the conclusion of the season is former Salford and Swinton forward Jimmy Shields.

He’s a young forward who has had Super League exposure with Salford, featuring in early-round matches against top sides like St Helens and Wigan last season

He is a powerful middle/forward who is still developing and he is sure to add plenty to the Crusaders as they bring the curtain down on the action.

In further good news for North Wales, they have announced the capture of Kye Jacobson for the remainder of the campaign.

Jacobson moved to the UK when he signed for Cornwall ahead of last season and he made three appearances for the club before they folded in April 2025.

The 24-year-old Australian centre signed for fellow championship club Swinton Lions at the beginning of this campaign.

There could be further additions through the door over the coming weeks and Grady admitted: “We are still looking to get lads in. I’m busy all week, every week.

“We have got some good lads here. The Championship is a tough league, so it’s just trying to get a bit more experience in.”

Crusaders will go into their clash with Widnes on the back of an improved showing in last weekend’s 64-4 defeat away to play-off chasers Salford.

North Wales’ bright spot came late in the first half when Lewis Holgate grabbed his side’s only try of the match.

There were plenty of familiar faces in the Salford ranks, with a number of former Crusaders claiming tries on the day.

There was a first half brace from Toby Hughes and he was joined on the scoresheet by the likes of Jake Spedding, Cole Oakley, Owain Abel and Joe Baldwin.

North Wales Crusaders’ wheelchair rugby league team have managed to maintain their brilliant run of form.

Following on from their 88-14 victory against Wakefield Trinity, Crusaders got the better of Batley Bulldogs 66-46 in what was the first ever meeting between the teams.