A RUGBY League whizzkid crowned the best week of his career by signing for Warrington Wolves.

Thirteen-year-old Richard Mathers was being chased by a host of top Super League clubs.

Yet the full back snubbed his hometown club, Leeds Rhinos, to sign on the dotted line at Wilderspool.

His signing came on the back of scoring seven tries in two matches within 24 hours of each other.

On the Saturday, the man of the match full back scorched in for four tries as Yorkshire thrashed Humberside 86-0. The following day, his scintillating hat-trick helped Milford hammer Siddle 42-6.

Warrington's chief scout Jim Reader was ecstatic with the signing.

He said: "Lads of this quality come along rarely. This is one of the biggest junior signings we have made for a long time. He is destined for great things.

"Richard is a complete player with tremendous pace, great hands and lots of commitment.

"He has achieved every honour available in the game at this age level."

Mathers, who was also head-hunted by Bradford Bulls, Wigan Warriors and Oldham Bears, made the decision to sign for the Wolves on his own.

His father, also Richard, says: "He liked what they had to say at Warrington and looked at how the club's Academy and Alliance teams were playing. It was his own decision.

"He is the best young player I have seen for a long time. He has been playing rugby since he was eight and we realised when he was 10 that he had great ability."

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