Workington Town have made a huge statement of intent for the coming season after sensationally swooping for ex-Super League prop Ryan Bailey.

The former Leeds Rhinos star will beef up the Workington Town pack after signing on the dotted line this week.

Six-times Super League champion and former Great Britain forward Bailey will join former Toronto Wolfpack colleague Sean Penkywicz at Derwent Park.

And he says he is here to help the club achieve their target of promotion back into the Championship.

"Everyone here wants to do better than last year and hopefully get promoted and I'm here to help them do that," said Bailey.

"I played against Workington last year and they were a good, physical side and now they have a good mix of older and young players.

"Obviously me and Penky have come in with some experience and hopefully we can go a long way.

"I played with Penky last year and I can't wait to go again and help to lead the players around the field.

"I just want to stay consistent and play hard. Obviously we are striving to get promoted this year and I just want to do my best for the team."

Bailey could feature for Town at the weekend in the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy derby with Whitehaven at the Recreation Ground, ko 3pm.

And he has plenty of previous experience of tense derby encounters, playing a Bradford team that included Leon Pryce, while at Leeds.

"Leon and I used to be arch rivals at Bradford and Leeds, there was always a bit of spice," joked Bailey.

"But we are on the same team now so it will be good this year.

"This will be a tough game and a good derby and I am really looking forward to it."

Town chairman Garry Mounsey was delighted to welcome Bailey to the club.

He said: "After last season, where we needed to stabilise the club after relegation, we are now in a position to build upon the fantastic squad that we have put together this year.

"We already have a great pack in place and they have shown in our two previous friendlies that they are going to be a formidable unit.

"As a group they look as fit as I have seen in my years at the club and we have still got Tom Curwen and Andrew Dawson yet to feature.

"We have now got a great balance between youth, experience and local talent, which was always our aim.

"Ryan will be a great addition to the pack and will bring his considerable experience, which can only benefit the team as a whole.

"He has been very complimentary about the Town forwards he played against last year and I know he is looking forward to joining them on the field.

"I would also like to thank Stephen Calvin of Myers & Bowman and other local businesses who helped to make this signing happen. Sponsors like Stephen are the lifeblood of our club and help us to keep moving forward."