Tom Haughey has been snapped up by Super League outfit London Broncos, and is preparing to join his new club for pre-season training in Australia.

Tom, who is 21 this month, has been with Wakefield Wildcats for the last four years after being signed on his 17th birthday, but he was released earlier this month as part of the club's attempts to climb out of financial problems.

The young loose forward was quickly snapped up by the London club, which now has a policy of developing young players. The squad is currently in Australia, holding pre-season training sessions near Sydney.

He was brought up on Keighley's Braithwaite Estate and attended Calversyke and Oakbank Schools.

He began playing rugby with the Cougar Cubs as a 12-year-old, playing alongside Richard Moore, who is now with Bradford Bulls, in team which swept all before them.

When he was 16 he began playing with Keighley Albion, but was soon signed by Wakefield. He has gone on to play with the 1st XIII and also represented Yorkshire at Academy level.

"I have signed a two-year deal and playing with the Broncos is a great opportunity. My first ambition is to secure a regular place in their Super League team and go on to get a place in Yorkshire's 'Origin' team - and go on from there.

"At the moment I'm looking forward to joining the rest of the squad in Australia and preparing for the Super League season."

Cougars are in the final stages of preparation for the season which starts with an Arriva Trains Cup clash with Doncaster next weekend.

Coach Gary Moorby is delighted with the way pre-season trainign has gone.

"We have had the players in for four sessions over the last couple of weeks as we prepare for the cup game. Pre-season has gone very well and the lads are itching to start playing.

"Phil Guck has joined us this week after finishing his rugby union commitments with Huddersfield RUFC. At 6ft 3ins and 14st the 21-year-old former Blue Sox Centre/winger/fullback will be a more than usefull addition to our squad.

"The only players not available for the Doncaster game are Mick Durham, who does not return from Australia until February, and Max Tomlinson who is in Jamaica visiting his father who is ill. He arrives back in England next weekend and should be available for the Challenge Cup against Thornhill the following week."

n The Cougars Under-18 Academy squad is also in training for their season which starts in April. They have been drawn in a group which includes Wigan, St Helens, Salford, Leigh and London Broncos.

They play each team once before the league structure of the competition is finalised.