Top local amateur player Darren Callaghan has turned professional to join York Rugby League Club.

Darren Callaghan

The Wasps beat off interest from a number of first division rivals to snap up the York Acorn BARLA international on a two-year contract.

Callaghan, a member of the Great Britain Lions team which returned undefeated from a tour of Australia last summer, has been a shining light for Acorn this season despite their lowly position in the National Conference second division.

His vision and creative skills at stand off and loose forward has attracted the attention of a host of professional clubs.

But the 21-year-old, currently third highest points scorer in his division, has opted to join his home town club and will be looking to make an immediate impact in the first team.

Coach Dean Robinson, who expects to announce more signings this week, said: "It's a big signing for us in that he's the best amateur player in the area at this time. It's there now for him to prove his worth.

"He's shown what he can do in the amateur game, there's no higher accolade than representing your country on a tour of Australia. Now he has to put that behind him and learn his trade in the professional ranks."

Acomb-based Callaghan has recently switched to loose forward with Acorn and it is in that position which Robinson believes his future lies.

His goal-kicking ability will also prove a welcome addition to the Wasps ranks and, if he can command a first team place, will be challenging Chris Hopcutt and Craig Booth as number one kicker.

But he is not guaranteed an immediate start in the York line-up, as Robinson acknowledged. "In the two friendly fixtures we'll play everyone and it won't be until after those games that we can see how he takes to the drills and the shots in training. Nobody is guaranteed a shirt."

Robinson went on: "He has great vision and reads the game well. He makes room for himself which allows him greater decision time and that is an attribute of all good players.

"With this awareness and a good pair of hands he has all the attributes to develop onwards. But he will have to learn to adapt to the pace of the game and his own personal discipline. We will not know how Daz will adapt until he's been put under pressure to perform."

The signing ends a long wait for Robinson who has been tailing the Acorn captain for some time. He admitted he would have brought Callaghan to Huntington Stadium last season but wanted to give him the chance to tour Australia.

Wasps chief executive Jim Race was delighted to clinch the deal which finally ended speculation about his future. He said: "It's an exceptionally good signing for the club. Darren is an international player and it proves to the public of York we can attract the best local talent to the club.

"We went to talk to him on Saturday and another first division club was there watching him. At least three other clubs have watched him and a couple of others have spoken to him but he's pledged his future to York."

Callaghan's departure is a blow to Acorn who are fourth from bottom of the NCL second division and fighting to avoid one of the two re-election spots.

But they are also delighted to have produced another professional player, following in the footsteps of Rob and Andy Lee who are now at Hull Sharks and Johnny Liddell at Leeds Rhinos.

Callaghan has made a rapid rise through the ranks, only taking up the game at 16 when he joined Acorn's Under-17s. He went on to play for York Academy before returning to Thanet Road and taking over the captain's role.

Spokesman Paul Lumby said: "We are going to miss him because he's a very talented player and plays in crucial positions. But the whole idea of us running junior teams is that one day they will go professional. Acorn wish him the best of luck although he will be sorely missed."

Callaghan may have to wait a little longer before getting his first start in a Wasps shirt. The York camp has been hit by 'flu and the club were today speaking with Hunslet officials in a bid to postpone Sunday's friendly.

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