https://widnesvikings.co.uk/josh-johnson-signs-from-salford-tyler-dupree-leaves-for-red-devils/
Widnes Vikings can confirm the immediate signing of experienced prop Josh Johnson from Salford Red Devils until the end of the 2023 season. We can also confirm that prop forward Tyler Dupree has joined the Red Devils with immediate effect as part of the agreement.
Josh Johnson, 27, joins the Vikings for the remainder of this season as well as 2023, and has a wealth of both Super League and Championship experience having made 146 appearances in his career so far.
Josh’s arrival for both the remainder of the season and for 2023 provides stability for the club in the forwards for the remainder of this season and next, and his experience will be key to supporting our promising young forwards who will benefit from playing and training alongside Josh.
With some of our more experienced forwards missing through injury for large parts of the season so far, Josh’s arrival will fill that gap and provide some size and aggression in the middle of the pack.
He began his career with Huddersfield Giants, making his debut in 2013 and spending three years with the club including dual registration spells with Doncaster and Oldham and a loan spell at Batley Bulldogs.
Josh moved on to Hull Kingston Rovers in 2017, where he helped his side win promotion back to Super League for the 2018 season.
The forward played for Barrow in 2019 before joining Salford later that year. He has been with the Red Devils since, including a loan spell back at Barrow earlier this year in which he played against Widnes at the DCBL Stadium.
Josh will link up with the squad this week in preparation for this weekend’s game against Whitehaven.
Widnes secured Tyler’s signing for the 2022 season amidst considerable interest from both Championship and Super League clubs. Tyler has always held the ambition of playing full-time at Super League level, which the club were aware of prior to signing him. After a promising start to the season, he had agreed to join Salford Red Devils for 2023.
The opportunity arose to sign Josh for the remainder of this season, such was the decision to allow Tyler to join Salford early and with immediate effect.
We would like to thank Tyler for his contributions to the club this year and wish him all the best for the future.
The club have been working hard to strengthen our squad for this season and beyond, and feel that Josh’s arrival will help us improve our performances.
Josh will be in line to make his Widnes debut in this Sunday’s game.
Josh Johnson will be proudly sponsored by West End Motors for the 2022 season.
Who made this decision? What if the new coach doesn’t want him?
At 27 an experienced, fit to play prop - that’s good news.
We might have to wait some time for a new coach, so I think that to act now and strengthen the forwards outweighs everything else.
If Dupree was going anyway fine, not bothered, Johnson is decent.
Agree with that. Dupree has potential but he would have gone at the end of the season anyway. Johnson has loads of experience and should do a solid job.
Johnson is a decent addition - though of course, would have been better if was an addition, rather than a replacement.
Dupree's head and heart clearly elsewhere. Did OK in first few games but not been interested much since.
I don’t knowJohnson, but reading the post he sounds like an experienced Championship campaigner which is what we need to be fair.
It will be interesting to see how TD fares next season and if he gets regular first team rugby.
Hopefully he'll play more games than sick note Dupree
Who made this decision? What if the new coach doesn’t want him?
Sounds like sick note wanted out V25 so probably best to get shot..could have at least give us till end of the season though.. the new coach might not want any of our players.
Who made this decision? What if the new coach doesn’t want him?
Sounds like sick note wanted out V25 so probably best to get shot..could have at least give us till end of the season though.. the new coach might not want any of our players.
I’m on about Johnson. He’s here until the end of next season, what if the new coach doesn’t want him? Why are we giving relative long term contracts out when there’s no coach in place? Who’s sanctioned the deal?
Clearly a Finney deal. Hope it isn't a sign of ROB getting the job permanently.
Just like the 3 year deal for Owens last year.
Seen the lad play a few times to be fair and he is better than Tilleke, Doro and Dupree IMO.
Who made this decision? What if the new coach doesn’t want him?
Sounds like sick note wanted out V25 so probably best to get shot..could have at least give us till end of the season though.. the new coach might not want any of our players.
I’m on about Johnson. He’s here until the end of next season, what if the new coach doesn’t want him? Why are we giving relative long term contracts out when there’s no coach in place? Who’s sanctioned the deal?
There might be a coach in place might not be announced yet 😉
Well we've signed Callum Field from Featherstone for the rest of the season. Maybe there is someone in the wings or maybe they have genuinely recognised how poor the squad is in certain areas.
Who made this decision? What if the new coach doesn’t want him?
Sounds like sick note wanted out V25 so probably best to get shot..could have at least give us till end of the season though.. the new coach might not want any of our players.
I’m on about Johnson. He’s here until the end of next season, what if the new coach doesn’t want him? Why are we giving relative long term contracts out when there’s no coach in place? Who’s sanctioned the deal?
There might be a coach in place might not be announced yet 😉
Very true.
I don’t actually think Johnson and Field are bad signings, they’re better than who we’ve been using. I’m just not sure on somebody signing players who isn’t the coach.