KEANAN Brand has joined recently promoted Leigh Centurions on loan for the 2021 season.

The 21-year-old made three appearances in the Wire first team in 2020 after joining them from Widnes Vikings.

He made his debut in Super Legue with Widnes two years earlier and featured in their AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final team at Wembley last year.

A Wolves statement reads: "The move will allow the talented 21-year-old the opportunity to gain valuable experience on a regular basis in the top-flight before returning to the club in 2022.

"The loan will help Keanan’s development where it is hoped he will follow the examples of Matt Davis and Ellis Robson as players who all spent time at other clubs before making a successful return.

"Everyone at the club wishes Keanan the best of luck with his season-long loan spell at the Centurions."

Brand said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for me and one I’m looking forward to.

"I didn’t hesitate when I got the chance to join Leigh for 2021 and talking to their coach John Duffy it’s clear everyone is buzzing about being in Super League.

“John Duffy has a good reputation and I’m looking forward to working with him.

"I know a few of the players at Leigh already such as Alex Gerrard, Joe Mellor and Liam Hood from my time at Widnes as well as playing against quite a few of the squad too.

"We’ll be going into Super League full of optimism and obviously we’ll be seen as the underdogs but I like the challenge that brings.

“My main objective at Leigh will be to play every week and the Sports Village is a ground I always looked forward to playing it. It’s a great facility with probably the best playing surface in the competition.”

Centurions Head Coach Duffy said Brand is a player he’d admired for a long time.

He said: “I’ve coached against him when he was at Widnes and he was a player that always caused us problems. He’s a young player with massive potential which is why Warrington signed him last year.

“He is a tough opponent and has many good attributes as well as a great attitude.

"We had looked at him before the Super League announcement and tried to sign him then but he was adamant he only wanted to play in Super League which says a great deal about the player and shows he’s got something about him.”