Giants sign Chester Butler

20 May 2019

Giants sign Chester Butler

Huddersfield Giants have signed Wales international Chester Butler from Betfred Championship neighbours Halifax RLFC on a three-year deal.

The 23-year-old centre or back-row forward, who is the grandson of former Wales forward Colin Dixon and played in the 2017 World Cup, will link up with the Giants from the start of the 2020 season.

Huddersfield see Butler as a potential replacement for out-of-contract second-rower Alex Mellor, who has yet to re-sign for next season, but say he could play for Halifax on loan in 2020.

Giants managing director Richard Thewlis said “With Alex Mellor having turned down the opportunity to re-sign with us at this stage, we have an obvious place for a back-row/centre type player.

“We believe Chester to be a stand-out player in the Championship. Chester only lives a short drive from us and via his agent it was known he wants to have a chance to step up to full-time and it’s great that he has chosen us over a number of other Super League options.??

Butler said: “It feels like a dream come true to sign for Huddersfield. I’ve always wanted to go full-time and properly test my abilities out, which I haven’t been able to do part-time.

“I’m just looking forward to what I can do to my body and what I can learn to make me the best player possible.

“I can’t wait to play Super League with the Giants. It has been a dream of mine to play in the Super League and to get the opportunity to be able to do so is amazing.

“Huddersfield is a club close to home and a team I’ve always watched since I was younger. Giants to me just felt right after speaking to Simon Woolford, I felt he could bring the best out of me as a person and player.??